“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17
Moses had Aaron and Hur; Balaam had his donkey (although serious in substance, this is a funny story worth reading in Numbers 22:21-41); Joshua had Caleb; David had Samuel; Jesus had John The Baptist and the Disciples and Paul had Timothy and the Church. Friends are treasures!
It has been said that growing old is not for sissies! As my sweet Richard used to say, however, “You can either grow old or die young.” So, where does that leave us? Well, it leaves us living life, praying for the blessing of friends who will be faithful to make the journey with us.
The story of Moses and Aaron and Hur is such a beautiful picture of dedicated friendship. During an attack on the Israelites by the Amalekites, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” [Exodus 17:11-13]
During the last four years of Richard’s life, deep in the attack of Alzheimer’s Disease, we could not have endured had it not been for the faithful friends who surrounded us. Just like Aaron and Hur, when I grew weary and yes, even feeling defeated by the effect of this relentless disease, the love and dedication of friends would hold me up. They did this by offering their time and gifts of service which allowed me the opportunity to rest and to regenerate the strength to continue.
Seventeenth century author, John Donne wrote, “No man is an island entire of itself….” His words were so eloquent and rich in meaning. The more years one lives in this world, the more relevant and rich in meaning is this truth. In his book, Why Geese Fly Further Than Eagles, author Bob Stromberg explains that while the eagle is very strong and stunning in beauty, it does not have the same endurance factor of the geese. The reason for this is that it is not uncommon to see an eagle soaring and flying alone. But, geese fly in great numbers, together! Their familiar V formation serves a purpose. It you watch closely and long enough, you will see the lead and lone flyer drop out of position as another takes its’ place. The draft produced by those in the lead, help lift and sustain the others until it is, at last, their turn to take the lead.
Today, let us thank God for the friends He has allowed to come into our own lives. And, let us be a friend to someone else who needs our love and support as we sojourn through this life, together!
Dear God, Author and Creator of relationship, thank you for the friends given to me and show me how to be a friend to someone else. AMEN
To the One Who said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [Genesis 2:18]