Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Lasting Friendships

Some friendships do not last,
but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
Proverbs 18:24

Do you have friends more loyal than brothers? Dick and I lunched today with Joe and Michelle, a couple with whom we share a relationship that fits the description in Proverbs 18:24.

For seven years we lived in the same town as Joe and Michelle. We worked and worshipped together at church, talked over ideas and concerns, shared family time and meals. Though Dick and I are more than 15 years older than Joe and Michelle, our values, attitudes, and commitment to Christ dovetailed, spiritually nurturing each of us and drawing us closer than siblings.


So when Dick and I found out we were moving, I wondered how our friendship would fare with the distance. Dick pastors in a denomination where, instead of local churches hiring their own pastors, bishops appoint pastors to serve in local churches and other ministry settings. In this “Itinerant System”, pastors move from one appointment to another,

Moves are frequent; during the past 35 years in ministry we have moved nine times. This move would take us about 75 minutes from our close friends.

I need not have worried about our relationship with Joe and Michelle. We have stayed close despite the distance. Though we miss the frequent contact we enjoyed before, through email, texting, phone calls, and visits we continue to support and even challenge one another to be faithful in our day to day walk with Christ.

Once again God has proven the absolute truth of His Word.

The Spirit-inspired song, "Friends" by Michael W. Smith expresses my sentiments so well. If you are missing a special friend today, listen and allow God to minister to your heart.

©2011 Pamela D. Williams