“Two are better than one, because they have a good return and reward for their love-labors. If one falls, the other lifts. Woe to him who falls alone and has no lifter. Again, if two lie together, they stay warm, but aloneness makes for coldness. A friend with one good friend is powerful, but a three-friend rope of grace isn’t easily broken.” Paraphrase of Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Lord Jesus, I’ve been thinking lately about friendship, and especially friends woven together as a rope of grace. It’s a gift to have friends who bring lifting power to our burdens, warmth in a world of coldness, and companionship in our every-season, highs-and-lows journey Home. Indeed, thank you for …
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Friends who laugh and play, and weep and lament with us.
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Friends who identify with our pain, struggles, and confusion.
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Friends who remind us of the Gospel, Jesus’ love, and the Bigger Story.
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Friends who offer unrushed presence, hot tears, and comic relief.
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Friends who pray in the moment, because they know they’ll forget later.
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Friends who remind us to wait upon you—and to wait a little longer.
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Friends who would rather be kind than right.
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Friends who trust us with their hearts and work for our joy.
Jesus, these cherished friendships turn our hearts to you. For you are the foundation and fountain of all good friendship. It’s stunning, settling, and sweet to hear you say to us, “I no longer call you servants, I call you friends” (Jn15:15).
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn.15:13)—and that’s exactly what you did for us. And now, you’ll never leave us and ever live for us. When we fall down, you’re right there—right here today. Thank you Jesus, and So Very Amen.
