The value of a Friend

  This past week I had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend in Virginia Beach, a friend I've not seen or talked to in a couple years.  We picked up almost like we hadn't been separated by the miles and circumstances for 2 years.  It reminds me of the verse: "A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17.  Time and distance, circumstance and struggle don't abate that but allow us to carry one another's burdens.  Sometimes that gets messy, requires vulnerability, grace to receive correction and be changed by each other, humility to forgive and ask forgiveness.  Sometimes it requires pressing in when we want to withdraw, covering one another's shortcomings, sacrificially giving of one's self and resources.  Isn't that what Jesus did? He sacrificed at all expense, pressed in and sought out when we were hiding, enemies, broken by our sin and shame, not willing to leave us to ourselves. He Himself said "I no longer call you servants... but friends..." Luke 15:15. And who best to know the depth and meaning of that word "friend", having inspired its description over and over throughout history: David and Jonathan; Ruth and Naomi; Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; Paul and his companions, Moses and Joshua and the list goes on.

     Being in the middle of a move, my old journals are still packed up, but every time I've publicly shared my God-story, I always relate it through the names of God revealed to me at different times/stages.  Just as I was turning 16, my family moved from our long-time home state of Texas up to a remote mountain pass in Alaska.  I didn't know anyone in Alaska, and, even if I did, they would likely be at least 1-2 hours away.  Needless to say, this was a time of struggle and loneliness.  We lived at a Bible camp, and I remember our first camp.  I journaled about it as I saw long-time friends having fun and hanging out together and sharing testimonies of how special this or that friendship was. I remember feeling very much alone and on the outside.  During this season in my life, Jesus revealed Himself deeply to me as a friend. A true, meaningful, faithful, conversational, near at hand friend.  Moving to Virginia has been the second most difficult move as far as finding, developing friendships.  I've moved over 13 times in my life including a 2 year stint as a missionary kid in the Philippines.  But, I'm so thankful for the friends who took me into their circle and befriended me, but I still find after 5 years that it's easy to feel like one is on the outside looking in.  It helps me strive to welcome and engage those new to the area, to see with eyes more open the loneliness or needs around me.  Still so easy to get all wrapped up in the busyness of life, in your own domestic or work duties and days and weeks pass by without intentionally engaging in sacrificial love and friendship.
Passages on friendship. 
1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.




What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!













Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.



Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;

May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.





Song with soul
Acoustic unplugged
Story behind the hymn