Friendly Life

It's common when guests visit, they knock, wait to be asked in and to have a seat then maybe
share a glass of iced 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 Mister 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 Believer 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; cultivate friendship by showing yourself friendly. Friendliness is a wise investment. In the final scene of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” great numbers of George Bailey's friends come to help him in his time of need; His little brother paid tribute by saying, “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!” The measure of a friendly life could mean friends who knock on your door, call your number, fill your mailbox and refrigerator when Trouble comes a’callin’. Oh, and Trouble will certainly come but so will the full-measure of friends because of your ... friendly life!