Monday, February 19, 2018


A Friend Loves at All Times
By Brita Crouse

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”


Coffee and good conversation. That is my happy place. There is something about sitting down one-on-one with someone and sharing parts of ourselves that gives us life. As a graduate student, finding time to connect with a friend is a rarity, so I take any chance I get to be able to do just that.

Eighteen years, eighteen years, I have known this friend. We first met in grade school, then experienced the growing pains of middle school, faced the uncertainty and emotions of high school, walked through the challenges of college, and now we spur one another on as adults. We have experienced a lot of life together.

While I was home over Christmas break, I was able to connect with my best friend. It had been three months since we last saw each other, which may be a record for the longest we have ever been apart. In that three-month period, we had experienced new losses, milestones, anniversaries, joys and challenges. We had a lot to catch up on.

We met at our favorite coffee shop. As crowded as it was, we were fortunate to find a table - - a small one with two seats, nestled against the window where we watched snow fall and reminisced. We spent three hours there, reverting back to our old selves, talking about boys and clothes and our collection of friends from over the years.
  
We shared stories, thoughts and emotions - - good and difficult - - from our time apart. It was exactly what my weary soul needed. I am especially grateful for this friendship, to have someone who knows me well, and still continues to love and encourage me. God uses her to show me Himself.

Having people like this in our lives is so important. Humans are relational beings and have the desire to connect and be known. We are to be in fellowship with other believers. Having Christ-followers surrounding us with encouragement and accountability is vital for our spiritual health and growth. Being able to pray for others, walk alongside others and love others well is to model after Jesus. These special friendships are given to us by God.

As we engage in fellowship and friendship, let us think about how we can be spurring one another on - - drawing each other closer to Christ.

GOING DEEPER:
1.       Think about with whom you can be connecting and fellowshipping. How can you regularly engage in fellowship and accountability?
2.       Who do you know who may be looking to receive or take part in fellowship?

FURTHER READING:

Brita recently moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where she works as an Elementary School Counselor. She and her family have attended Oakwood for 20 years.