There is a song I remember, it starts with, “Friends, let us each other, love is the gift God gives”. I am humming that song tonight because I have had a week filled with friends. This has included a coffee break with a friend; two lunches with friends – one a rushed one on a work day, the other leisurly with several cups of tea at the end; making plans with life-long friends for a winter weekend get-away; and connecting with friends by email and Facebook. Friends are the free gift that makes life rich!
In the little rural church I attended as a kid there was a small stained glass window at the front with the words “Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” (Sorry about the exclusive language but I am just quoting the window!!!) Friendship is a part of our scriptural story. Ruth and Naomi were friends and despite their age difference they stuck it out together through meagre and threatening times. David and Jonathan had a deep friendship such that when Jonathan died David was plunged into deep grief. Jesus built a loving friendship with the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus and it seems that he often stopped there for a meal and a visit. When Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples he said, “I no longer call you servants, I call you friends.”
Friends are the ones who lift us up when we are down. They keep us grounded when we are about to spin out of control. They share our memories and help us imagine the future. They wipe our tears, they make us laugh. Friends are the gift God gives.
