In Other Words--Friendship

“One quality of a godly friend is helping others to reach their goals and to get to where they need to be. No we can’t walk on water, calm the storms in our friends lives, or land their boat where they want to go. But we can point them to the Friend who sticks closer than a Brother.”
~Sharon Jaynes~
A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life: Finding God’s Refreshing Priorities for You

When the latest storm hit our lives back in August, I knew immediately one thing I needed to do. I needed to talk to my friend. Not because she had walked this road before, she hadn't. Not because she could come and fix anything, she couldn't. Even if fixing it was possible, she lives on another continent so coming to the rescue was out of the question. I needed to talk to her because she prays.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
~James 5:16~

It just "so happened" that in my time of great need my friend was back in the UK for a few days to attend a wedding. And it just "so happened" that she rang to talk. Yay God! As I told her the situation, she laughed. My life is in a storm and she laughs! And you know what? I laughed along with her. It was exactly the emotional release that I needed. But the laughter said more, it said I can't do anything to help you but I'll meet you in the messiness of life. And then she prayed. She prayed earnestly for what was happening. As we hung up the phone, I knew she would continue to pray.

When German came home that evening he commented that I was noticeably more relaxed. I simply said, "____ is praying." He smiled. Nothing more needed to be said.

The greatest gift we can give to our friends is point them to Jesus and to continue to carry them to Jesus when they are struggling. We don't need to have the answers. We already know the One who does.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
~Proverbs 27:9~

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
~John 15:15~

Father, I thank you for my friends who hold me up in prayer. I thank you that they do not feel like they have to have all the answers, but that they will take me to you knowing that you do have answers. Thank you for the peace that comes in my life when my friends are praying for me. Make me that kind of friend to others. Make me trustworthy to pray. Keep me silent when answers and platitudes are not needed. Help me to point my friends to you. Amen.

Our hostess this week is Patricia at Typing One-Handed. I hope that you will visit and be blessed by reflections on this quote.