I received a text late last night from an old friend. She wanted me to know that her first grandchild had just been born. My heart rejoiced with her over this wonderful news, and then I started reminiscing about our friendship and what it means to be a true friend.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17
This is such a beautiful verse! Pay attention to that little word?all. All times– the good, the bad, and the ugly. Look at that second phrase. A true friend is compared to a brother, a family member; someone who was born to be by your side through times of struggle and heartache; someone who will rejoice with you during life?s mountaintop moments.?
The friend who texted me last night is that kind of friend. We live hundreds of miles apart and rarely see each other, but she prays for my family and has reached out to me when I?ve faced tremendous trials.?
I love these words that Jesus said in John 15:15 & 17:
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15: 15 & 17
Because Jesus was God in the flesh, I should technically be considered a servant to him. Instead, he loves me and calls me his friend. Wow! I don?t deserve his friendship or his saving grace, yet he freely gives these gifts to me.?
Jesus didn’t suggest that we love others; he commanded us to do it. He puts friends in our lives for us to love on. He didn’t say that loving others is conditional, either.
In these troubling times that we are living in, it is more important than ever that we love one another and support one another. Jesus is the best example of a true friend, and I want to be more like him.
This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.
I’ll be your brother and your friend;
just call, and I will come,
faithful, yea, unto the end,
and I will bring a gun.
Small talk just is not my thing,
but I’ll fix your Ford,
bind your budgie’s broken wing,
and pray unto the Lord
that what I do will be enough,
that you can see my heart;
although the times, they can be tough,
we are not far apart,
for the thousands of the miles
are bridged in truth by smiles.
Just a beautiful message.
Such friendships are real gifts! I have a few…and they are a treasure:) But it really is hard to comprehend being a friend of Jesus! That really is a treasure!
And – congrats to your friend…what fun!
She?s very excited; this is her first grandbaby. ?
The news of a new life is a reason to rejoice. Your words on friendship and love are encouraging and so right at all times, but especially now!
Very encouraging and beautiful words on who the true model of friendship is! And it is a blessing to have a friend who is with you at all times. Such a person is a true treasure aren’t they?
Definitely!
I love how Ephesians says we are “adopted into sonship.” I love the idea that God chose us to be brought into His family, and even better that we can have friendships like the one you decribe.
Yes, so true!
Friendship is such a gift. Along the way, I have found some of these sibling-like friendships and they have endured over miles, over the years, and I hope over our lifetimes. They are true treasures and when you find them, you recognize that they are precious.
Awwww we need friends and love like that 🙂 hope your friend gets to meet grand baby soon
I happened upon your blog this morning. This verse in Proverbs was part of my Bible reading recently, and I actually wrote in my journal about how important it is to be a friend all the time through thick and thin. Thank you for your encouraging post!
It’s definitely something that I need to work on. Thank you for stopping by, Leslie!