Now What Do You Do With a Friend? You Stick By Her!

Friends... What is a friend?
Dictionary definition is:

1) A person whom one knows likes, and trusts.
2) A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

There are times I wish I could put my arms around my friend and shake him/her silly... Does this mean they are still my friend and I his? There are other times when I could put my arms around them and hug.

Je hebt iemand nodig (You need someone)
Stil en oprecht (Quiet and straight forward)
Die als het er op aan komt (That when the time comes)
Voor je bidt of voor je vecht (Will pray for you or fight for you)
Pas als je iemand hebt (When you have this someone)
Die met je lacht en met je grient (Who laughs with you and cries with you)
Dan pas kun je zeggen: (Only then can you say:)
'K heb een vriend. (I have a friend.)
Toon Hermans 'Liggen in't gras' (from his book 'Lying in the grass')


Friends can sometimes drive you crazy, but a true friend sticks by you no matter what (especially when you are driving them crazy). A friend loves you enough to call a spade a spade... even to your face. A friend laughs with you and cries with you. A friend will even ask you to take care of his mother.

John, a disciple of Jesus, was the only one (out of the 12) who was at the cross.
Max Lucado in 'No Wonder They Call Him Saviour' describes the scene beautifully, "He came to say goodbye. By his own admission he hadn't quite put the pieces together yet. But that didn't really matter. As far as he was concerned, his closest friend was in trouble and he came to help.
"Can you take care of my mother?"
Of course. That's what friends are for.
John teaches us that the strongest relationship with Christ may not necessarily be a complicated one. He teaches us that the greatest webs of loyalty are spun, not with air tight theologies or foolproof philosophies, but with friendships; stubborn, selfless, joyful friendships."


John was Christ's friend. Not that the other disciples weren't. They just allowed fear to run their lives until the resurrection, but John stuck by his friend.
Do you stick by your friends? Even when they irritate you? Even when you don't see eye to eye? Even when it could cost you your life?

Take the opportunity today to tell your friend how much they mean to you and love them.

To the "Deeds" ladies... It was an honour to work with you today cleaning up the fireworks mess at Riverside.

I love you guys!