A Real Friend

I have a friend who I haven't seen in months. I love her, but life is just really busy right now. I have yet to spend any time marketing my new book, and my novel is in the edit phase...except I never seem to have time to edit. I have so much to do, and never seem to have the time to do it.

But I hadn't seen my friend in months. She is one of the sweetest, gentlest people on earth and she wanted to meet me for lunch. How could I manage the time? Finally, I decided to just make the time, and carved out one hour that was less busy than other days...and met her.

From the first sentence out of her mouth, she unknowingly ministered to needs and burdens heavy on my heart. She had no idea that the things she was discussing were exactly what I needed to hear. I ate my lunch hanging on her every word. In the past, she had some struggles that I was able to be with her through. I hope I helped her. I think she needed someone who understood, and I did. I always felt like her "counselor" in a way, and glad to be of use. But now, it was she who was the helper, it was she who spoke gentle words of wisdom, and it was she who gave me comfort when I sorely needed it.

And it was she, mindful of how busy I was, who looked at her watch, and said, "Don't you need to go now?"
Friend, you know who you are. Thank you. May God enable me to be a friend like that to others in their time of need.
*************

Proverbs 18:24 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.