A FRIEND

"A friend loveth at all times."  Proverbs 17:17a

      What is a friend?  An incident that happened some years back caused me to cry out to God for clarification of just what constitutes "a friend".

      I was serving as treasurer of a women's organization and also prepared the "Table Talk", a calendar of coming events.  Each month I would ask the Lord for a poem, a word for the ladies.

      The president called, "Lenore, here's what I want you to tell the ladies in the Table Talk."  A long list of do's and don'ts for friends followed.  As I listened to her rather testy account of what constitutes "a friend" I became increasingly upset.  I cringed at the thought of telling the ladies what she insisted I say.  When I finally hung up the phone I let out a long moan.

      I said to R.J., "I just can't tell the ladies any of those things."  Not wanting to cause discord with the president, I decided to pray about it.  Walking into the living room, still moaning, I collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.  As I slept the Lord gave me a poem about how to be a friend.

      When I woke up I quickly wrote the poem down, thanking God for hearing my fervent prayer for help.  I knew the ladies would like what God said a friend should resemble.

      On the day of the monthly meeting I was seated at the head table near the president.  Upon reading the poem in the Table Talk, she turned to me and said, "Lenore!  You didn't write what I told you to say to the ladies!"  I replied confidently, without a hint of regret, "Sorry, but you were out-ranked by a Higher Power."

      The words of the poem reflect some of the kind gestures of my friends who have been there for me in my time of need.  One instance in particular comes to mind, a particular winter day my friend Adabelle brought a large bowl of delicious homemade chicken soup and a loaf of her famous bread to me when I was so ill with influenza, I couldn't get out of bed.

      The year my daughter died I remember calling friends just to talk.  How kind of them to listen as I poured out my heart feelings, just trying to cope with my loss.  It is impossible to recount the many times dear friends patiently listened to my tale of woe.  Would I have made it through those dark days if it had not been for these kind friends?

      God knows we need friends.  The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Colossians 13 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

      Here is the poem the Lord gave me that day:

          A FRIEND

          A Friend bears your burdens through thick and thin
          Always has a cheerful word and wears a grin
          A friend brings you chicken soup and homemade bread
          When you've caught the flu and can't get out of bed.

          A friend remembers to call when you are feeling low
          And listens patiently to your endless tale of woe.
          A true friend loves you no matter how you act
          Is always ready to pray with you, that's a fact.

          We all need friends we can count on and trust
          Jesus said, "Love ye one another", you know it's a must
          Reach out today to someone who might have a need
          Let's start acting like Jesus and be a friend in deed.