A Friend Loves at All Times
By Brita Crouse
“A friend
loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs
17:17 (NIV)
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 is currently working toward
her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has
called Oakwood her home church for the past seventeen years.
