The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)
Carry
Growing up in the days of vinyl albums and record players, I can remember lifting the arm up off the record and moving it to my favorite song over and over again. Back then the album I listened to most was Carole King’s Tapestry. And the song that was repeatedly played? “You’ve Got a Friend.” The chorus went something like this:
You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am,
I’ll come running.
To have friends that when called, meet us in our need is a priceless gift.
“Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” Mark 2:2-4 (NLT)
These men not only committed to carrying their paralyzed friend to where Jesus was, but they didn’t let it stop them when they encountered the large crowd. Knowing the wait would keep them longer didn’t deter them from seeking help for the one they held in their hands. They’d come with the intent of walking home alongside their friend so, they came up with an “over the top” idea that landed him right at Jesus’ feet. The result? After encountering Jesus, the man jumped up, grabbed his own mat, and walked through the crowd toward home.
To have friends who will go out of their way to lay our needs at Jesus’ feet, is a priceless gift.
I am the recipient of this priceless gift. Friendship abounds in my life! I’m sustained by a circle of women who don’t just walk into my challenging times, they run. When it seems impossible, they lift me up. Unable to move under the weight of my burdens, together, my dear friends help bear them and they don’t hesitate to lay them out before Jesus. Without thought, their plans change when my pleas for help reach them. They hold me in my grief, are a support when I fail, and offer solutions when I can’t see my way. And you know what? I do the very same for each of them.
But more than this, the love of friends spans all seasons of life and so, we also share in each others’ joys, encourage dreams, celebrate victories, and laugh. A lot! Through thick and thin, ups and downs, happy and sad, laughter and tears, we’re always there for each other as we walk hand in hand through this life, looking forward toward Home.
I am truly blessed to know what it means to have friends. I pray, that you do too.
“A friend loves at all times,” Proverbs 17:17a
Those kinds of friendships are precious. I’m glad you have people to support you!
Couldn’t make it through this life without them Lesley! God knew what He was doing when he moved me to the mountains all those years ago! Thanks for taking your time to comment! Hope you and yours are well!
The mark of true friendship – they run towards you when you can’t carry on, lift you up and carry you, even in their weakness they’re there and strong for you.
just stopped by from FMF#34
Heather I hope you have this very same kind of friendships like I do! It makes life a lot more fun for sure! Thank you so much for stopping in. I truly appreciate it!