Friendly Life

It is common when guests visit, they knock and wait to be asked in, to have a seat, and maybe share a glass of sweet tea.  This is not the way of Trouble: she comes in unannounced and without invitation. At the visit from this unwelcome guest, friends are important.  Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  In 2005 when Mr. Bill had cancer, never was the wealth of friends more real to us: they filled the waiting room during his surgery, their cards packed our mailbox, they handed us cash, they called and emailed us, they cried and prayed with us, they filled our kitchen with food.  Those whom we had not heard from in ages reached out to encourage and strengthen us.  At times we were [quite simply] astonished at the outpouring of love and care.  Christ is the Truest Brother and Friend the Christian will ever know and because of Him] we are to extend His kind of love and care to others.  It is good and right we extend God’s mercy but it also has benefits: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24).  Solomon recommends friendship; contract and cultivate friendship by showing ourselves friendly.  Friendliness is a wise investment. In the final scene of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” hosts of George Bailey's friends came to help him in his crisis, and Little Harry Bailey paid tribute: “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!”  The measure of a friendly life could mean friends who knock at your door, call your number, fill your mailbox and refrigerator when Trouble comes a’callin’.  Oh, and Trouble will come but so will the full-measure of friends because of your ... friendly life!