"How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your
precepts I get understanding; Therefore I
hate every false way. Your word is a lamp
unto my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:103 -105
Iron Sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
A few months ago, Bobby was offered a position
at another company. It's a national company,
lots of employees and it's easy to become
another face in the crowd. God had other
plans. Soon after he started, God presented
him with a friend. I don't quite remember
how they met, but from what I know of him
now, I'm sure it was his new friend that
started the conversation. Bobby was saved
a few years ago, not long before we met.
He quickly grew with the help of a good church
and pastor, in spite of being overwhelmed
with tragedy and conflict. I admired his
fervency and intense prayer life, his lack
of any sort of shame about carrying his bible
everywhere. He hung on to it like a kid and
his favorite blankie. It makes me smile to
think of what a blessing and answer to prayer
he is for me. Sadly, the one thing he lacked,
I could not give him. He needed guidance
from another man of God. That's were Calvin
comes in. They work together everyday, sometimes
for a few hours, sometimes more. Since they
met, not a day goes by without Bobby coming
home and telling me "what Calvin did
or said today." If I had to pray for
God to provide a friend for Bobby, I could
not pray for a better one. He brings him
up a few steps. He pushes him to take his
place as the spiritual leader of the home,
praying, guiding and washing with the Word.
There has been such a change in Bobby, at
times, I can hardly believe it.
Do you have a friend like that? Are you that
kind of friend for someone else? Like Proverbs
27:17 says, iron sharpens iron. Friendship
hones you and makes you a fine useful instrument.
I'm sure you are all familiar with the usefulness
of a good workout partner. They don't let
you slack and they push you to do your best.
God had that concept down long ago. He also
warned us of the consequences of "Long
Rangering". Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, " If one falls down, his friend can help him
up. But pity the man who falls and has no
to help him up!" We need a friend who we can confide in, love
us, faults, warts and all. Someone who will
not judge us. A friend can rein us back in
when we cross over into that gray area of
sin.
Now I am not telling anyone to place an ad
in the paper or scour every chatroom to find
someone to connect with. I'm not sure that
will happen, it might but the best way to
go about it is to ask the Source. God tells
us He will meet all our needs. These aren't
just financial. Friends are something that
we need as well. Ask God for a friend and
then be a friend. A man who has friends must himself be friendly.
Proverbs 18:24 Treat your friend like you want to be treated,
respectfully, uplifting, forgiving and caring.
Try not to criticize. Keep confidence. Be
trustworthy
Thanks Calvin for being so uplifting. Thanks
for being such a blessing to our family.
There is no better way to teach love than
to be love. That's you! And I know you're
just going for a nug hug!