A True Friend Who Holds You Close

Well now, friend, look who’s wanderin’ up on this ol’ front porch. Come on over here and rest yourself a lil’ ol’ spell. I was just watchin’ that lil’ nosy chipmunk over yonder tryin’ to boss around a onery lil’ blue jay, and it reminded me how much sweeter life gits when a real friend shows up. Proverbs 18:24 tells us that “A man who has friends must be friendly, and that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” That there truth settles into your heart like warm sunshine settlin’ across a quiet mountain meadow.

David sho’-nuff’ knew that kind of friendship. His own brothers treated him like a jittery squirrel that wandered too close to their campfire. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, saw somethin’ in David that made his heart knit right to him. Scripture says “Jonathan loved David as his own soul,” in 1 Samuel 18:1-3. That there’s friendship at its finest. Not loud. Not showy. Just steady, loyal, and brave.

And Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” God never meant for us to be walkin’ through life like a lonely lil’ deer wanderin’ through the woods hopin’ not to get lost. He gives us people who lift us up, guard us, and walk right beside us when the trail gets mighty rough.

Jonathan downright risked his own future to protect David. He stood between David and danger like a faithful ol’ hound dog standin’ between its owner and a prowlin’ bobcat. He said, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you,” in 1 Samuel 20:4. That there’s the heartbeat of true friendship. And Solomon plum knew it. If you want a friend like that, you’ve also gotta first be a friend like that.

Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. It’s one of God’s sweetest gifts.

Father, thank You for the gift of true friendship. Teach me to love with loyalty, courage, and kindness. Help me be the kind of friend who reflects Your heart. And bless the friends You have placed in my life with Your protection and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well now, friend, I surely am glad you rested your bones on this ol’ porch today. You’ve brought more goodness to this spot than an ol’ hymn sung from the heart. As you git to steppin’ right on back into your doin’s, let your gratitude rise like a meadow full of crickets singin’ at twilight. Let your kindness weave through your day like the smell of fresh bread driftin’ out of a kitchen window. Let your loyalty stand strong like an ol’ porch beam that has plum held up more conversations than anyone can even count. Let your walk with Jesus leave behind a quiet glow that makes folks feel like hope has just stepped right on into the room. Now go on out into this ol’ world, friend, and live out a friendship by bein’ a friend so true it sho’-nuff’ makes heaven git to leanin’ in real close and smilin’ real big, too.

With joy,

Gwen