…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)
I always wanted a best friend. When I was three years old I had a friend down the block named Susie Brown. We played together, watched Sesame Street, planted pieces of wicker to grow a pretzel bush, and got into her sisters’ things. It was fun to have such a close friend. But then Susie moved to Texas when I was six.
Over the years God sent other friends to fill Susie’s place…Andi, Michale, Jennie, Jennifer, Mary Anne, Jean, Laura, Sarah, Becky, Jill, Lisa, Nancy, Jodi, Cindy, Susan (all very special to me!!!)…but they had other friends, too. It seemed no one needed a best friend.
Yet today I encounter folks with best friends. My scrapbook buddy had a surprise 40th birthday party given by her best friend from high school. My neighbor was driving to Saturday morning coffee with her life time best friend, a weekly date. There still are best friends in the world, after all.
With my Christmas card basket full of cards, I know I do have friends. But none are best friends. Who will be my best friend? God tells me it is Jesus.
Jesus is the One who is ALWAYS there for me. He never lets me down. He holds me when I’m sad and wipes away my tears. He carries me on days that I can’t carry myself. On happy days, He is there to share my joy. When I mess up, He forgives me right away. He promises to never leave me nor forsake me. I’m so thankful that Jesus is my best friend!
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: May the words of this old hymn bring us comfort and joy today, as we have TEA with our best friend Jesus…
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there. By Joseph M. Scriven, 1855