A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Prov. 17:17
Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Eccl. 4:9-10
Lord Jesus, the past few weeks have freshly fueled my gratitude for the friends you’ve woven into my heart and story. Though as an introvert I need alone time to replenish, the thought of growing older without close heart-friends has never been scarier.
Thank you for friends who make me laugh, play, wonder, and explore. But I’m also grateful they love me in adversity, and when I’ve fallen down—those times when withdrawing into shame, self-sufficiency, and poor choices is just way too easy.
None of us need “friends” like Job had—those more likely to give correction than affection, or more “verses” than grace. If we need formulas and fixes, we can “YouTube” or “Google that.” It’s a gift to have friends whose own posing and pretending have been crushed under the weight of life’s stressors and liberating grace.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being a Savior of sinners and a friend of sinners. We would despair if that was not so. May your love, grace, and kindness shape all our friendships, and all our “friend-ing.” So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.
