MY FRIEND

 MY FRIEND

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John‬ ‭15:13).

Growing up I had friends come and go, especially when I was in elementary school. I remember I never wanted to be in the house because I just wanted to play and spend time with this particular friend. We only had one or two hours to play each day because she was always busy. She helped her mom with their little business in the afternoons so we did not have enough time to play. We grew up together and got very close, we had so much in common. We would play with dolls and make their little clothes. We liked to run so we had races, I always liked to win! We played hide and seek, we talked about everything girls talk about. We always had so much fun! When things got bad in my birth country, my parents had to sell the house and we moved to another town. That was so sad because I knew I was never going to see my friend and true enough I never saw her again. In the new town we moved to, I was able to make new friends and we had so much fun. But I still miss my childhood friend. I love those memories. 

Friendship is a wonderful thing especially when you find the right friend. This type of friend helps you up when you’re down. They are the shoulder you can cry on. They are not afraid to give you advice even if you don’t like it but they do so because it is what is best for you. They are willing to go the extra mile for you. That is a friend! Remember the story about the man sick of the palsy? His four friends brought him and carried him up the roof, cut a hole on the roof and lowered him down. “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark‬ 2:3-5‬). These friends wanted the best for their friend, they did what maybe others would have not done. They went the extra mile.

We also have the “so-called” friends. The ones that instead of wanting the best for us, they push us to do the wrong. I always taught my children to be careful when making friends. I always told them if these friends ever say to do something that your parents would not approve of, they’re not friends. We need to be careful with our children and their friends. We need to teach them from our experiences. We need to remember when we had a good or bad friend and tell them. Children love to hear stories, especially about us when we were little. I know, mine still do! Teach them about the best friend of them all. The one that died for you and me. Teach them about Jesus; how He is always there when we need Him, when we need comfort, when we need someone to listen.  “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (Psalm‬ 61:2-3‬ ).

What about us? Are we good friends? Are we giving the right advice? Are we being good listeners? Are we friendly? Are we willing to go the extra mile? Or are we like what it says in the Bible about a friend that is poor and we get annoyed by him or her? “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: But the rich hath many friends” (Proverbs‬ 14:20‬). If you have a friend, cherish that friendship, be nice, be friendly, be a good friend. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs‬ 18:24‬).

I have found a friend that helps me up when I am down. He listens to me when no one does. He is there when I need a shoulder to cry on and He even counts my tears. He always gives me good advice. He is always there when I need him. He is nice to me when I am not. He loves me for who I am. He does not blame me when I give him sorrow. He goes everywhere I go even if I have to move. He saves me from trouble. He holds my hand and tells me everything will be fine. He does not think bad of me. He does not get annoyed by my not so funny jokes. He laughs with me and not at me. He will never stop being my friend. He corrects me with love. He tells his Father, isn’t she a good person? He does not see any of my flaws. He sees me pure. This friend IS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!

“A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬).

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: So doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:9‬).

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.”

(Psalm‬ 55:17‬).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John‬ 3:16-17‬).