The Loss of a Friend

During the years of my life, I have suffered the loss of people as a result of tragedy who were dear to me.  I remember a dear friend who was killed in Vietnam in the late 60's, with whom I had enjoyed great fellowship.  Another dear friend died in a tragic plane crash.  So through the years I have learned that life continues.  It is always painful to lose a friend.

Scripture teaches us that have a friend is good and in order to have friends, one must be friendly.  I have learned that there some people connect in a moment of time and become life long friends. 

There is a significant difference between a friend and an acquaintance.  Through the years of my life I have become acquainted with thousands of people in my travels.  Often I use the term, "I have a friend..." in reference to someone who I have had fellowship but really they are simply an acquaintance.  

Recently I visited with a dear friend in Tennessee.  We have been friends since we were in our teens.  In recent years, we have not been able to get together, but the moment we met a few days ago, it was clear that the relationship of friendship was still there.  We talked of things with one another that we could not rehearse with others.  And we understood.  He is afflicted with MS now and it was painful for me to see him sitting in a wheelchair.  But it didn't change the love that we felt for one another.  I know that I can count on him and he knows that whatever comes, I am here for him.

I have people that are very close to me that I share my joys, my dreams, my failures, and my heartaches.  They listen because they are friends.  They do not harshly judge me, they often tolerate me, I am sure.  But they are always there for me.  One thing you can count on from a friend is that they will be honest with you and treat you with the blessing of not guessing where they stand.  Even when they disagree, they give you the privilege of being wrong without abandoning you.

I work hard at being a friend.  I pray for my friends every day.  I stand in the gap before the Lord, interceding for their needs.  There are times that I disagree with my friends, but I work hard to not become disagreeable with them.  In other words, I try to be a consistent in my relationship.  I attempt to always be there for them in a crisis, either in person, or by phone, standing with them in the face of their situation without judgement, simply loyal to the individual.

This week, I lost a friend.  I didn't lose this friend by death.  This friend had been close to me, and vice versa.  But I came to realize that this individual had walked away from me.  It has broken my heart.  I have wept, done personal inventory, questioned.  But the fact remains....I have lost a friend.  I will miss their fellowship.  I will miss their laughter.  I will miss their tears.  I will always pray that somehow we can be restored.  

Keep the faith!

CARRY ON