I’ve often said that one of the most glorious parts of God’s creation days was when He created friendship.
I’ve also heard it said that if you have one good friend you are rich….if you have two good friends you are a millionaire. But of course you can’t put a monetary value on what friends mean to us, can you?
I think I caught a glimpse of that several years ago at sweet Roger Bennett’s funeral. When I walked into the foyer of the church I immediately felt better because I started one by one seeing friends I don’t normally see. One of the downsides of what I do is that I’m usually doing it alone, not with other artist/ministry friends. Of course that’s one of the real upsides of being a part of events such as those Gaither video tapings…we get to hug, pat and catch up a bit on what’s going on in each others’ lives.
It was difficult for me as I watched Debbie walk back up that aisle behind Roger’s casket, leaving for the burial. It brought back a million painful memories of that day 19 years ago on a dark, rainy, cold day on this side of Nashville. I also remembered how very comforting it was to have friends hug me, stroke my arm and say “Ann, I wish I could do something to make it better”. Even in those painful moments, I felt loved and cared for and that sure helped!!!!! I did feel better!!!
Sure, we can make it alone…but oh my goodness, why would anyone want to do that?
As I was leaving the sanctuary following Roger’s funeral service, I saw my sweet friend, Janice, walking up the aisle. I caught up with her and wrapped my arms around her and she responded with her hug. You see, just 5 weeks prior she’d said “goodbye” for a while to her young husband. She looked at me and said, “Ann, what you’ve sung about ever since I’ve known you is true…He will be there even during the hardest of times when the silence is sooooo loud!”
I looked around and saw dozens of Roger’s friends. Sad, oh yes, but chatting, patting on the back, smiling and perhaps telling “Roger stories”. We all left, and as I drove away I felt amazingly better than when I arrived….because once again I was reminded that it’s easier to go through ANY and EVERYTHING when you walk with a friend.
I’m sooooo glad and thankful that God came up with that idea, aren’t you?
I’ve also heard it said that if you have one good friend you are rich….if you have two good friends you are a millionaire. But of course you can’t put a monetary value on what friends mean to us, can you?
I think I caught a glimpse of that several years ago at sweet Roger Bennett’s funeral. When I walked into the foyer of the church I immediately felt better because I started one by one seeing friends I don’t normally see. One of the downsides of what I do is that I’m usually doing it alone, not with other artist/ministry friends. Of course that’s one of the real upsides of being a part of events such as those Gaither video tapings…we get to hug, pat and catch up a bit on what’s going on in each others’ lives.
It was difficult for me as I watched Debbie walk back up that aisle behind Roger’s casket, leaving for the burial. It brought back a million painful memories of that day 19 years ago on a dark, rainy, cold day on this side of Nashville. I also remembered how very comforting it was to have friends hug me, stroke my arm and say “Ann, I wish I could do something to make it better”. Even in those painful moments, I felt loved and cared for and that sure helped!!!!! I did feel better!!!
Sure, we can make it alone…but oh my goodness, why would anyone want to do that?
As I was leaving the sanctuary following Roger’s funeral service, I saw my sweet friend, Janice, walking up the aisle. I caught up with her and wrapped my arms around her and she responded with her hug. You see, just 5 weeks prior she’d said “goodbye” for a while to her young husband. She looked at me and said, “Ann, what you’ve sung about ever since I’ve known you is true…He will be there even during the hardest of times when the silence is sooooo loud!”
I looked around and saw dozens of Roger’s friends. Sad, oh yes, but chatting, patting on the back, smiling and perhaps telling “Roger stories”. We all left, and as I drove away I felt amazingly better than when I arrived….because once again I was reminded that it’s easier to go through ANY and EVERYTHING when you walk with a friend.
I’m sooooo glad and thankful that God came up with that idea, aren’t you?
Sure am, AnnD! There have been times in my life that I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had someone there...just that physical person and also the knowing that He is always there right with me. The Lord knew that there'd be times when we would need that someone/something that we could hear, see or feel down here. :) Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGod is good -some of my my favorite verses are from Ecclesiastes 4-
ReplyDelete9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Jesus as the best friend makes that cord strong to go through anything that comes!