BEST FRIEND

James Taylor wrote the song “You've Got a Friend.” He expresses the dedication of his friendship with the lyrics, “you just call out my name and you know where ever I am, I'll come running to see you again.” Do you have a friend that will drop everything and listen to you or help you when you are in need?

Debbie and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary January 8th . She is my best friend, the mother of our 4 children and the love of my life. We have known each other since we were teenagers and married while I was serving in the US Air Force.

We have always done things together but nothing more important was our decision to accept Jesus Christ as our own personal Savior. Friends of ours invited us to their church and we heard the gospel but didn't respond to the altar call by the pastor. We were invited to the evening service. Debbie and I had a very important discussion that afternoon once we returned home. We agreed that if there was another “altar call” we would respond. Well, the Lord is Faithful; we did attend the evening service, there was an “altar call” and we did walk the aisle together and gave our hearts to the Lord.

She has remained by my side through the difficult times of unemployment; twice. She has been my prayer partner through out our marriage as we have sought the Lord's guidance in all matters from child rearing, education and home purchases. She was able to provide comfort to me when I lost both of my parents to cancer within several years even as she was grieving the loss of her best girlfriend and grandmother. I am truly blessed that the Lord brought us together and has kept us together through all these years and pray for many more years together with her.

Proverbs 18:24b states that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. No matter what we are going through in our lives, He is there. He knows us by name, He knew us before we were formed. He sees our heart, knows our motives, considers our weaknesses and knows our potential. He will be there when we call out His Name. He was born as a baby, grew into a man and faced every temptation that we do. He had the opportunity to take the easy road but chose to follow the will of His Father. He was spit on and beaten, lied and abused but didn't defend Himself. He gave His very life for me and for you. Jesus Christ arose on the Third Day and defeated sin and death so that we can have eternal life with Him! He also gave His life for the friends, neighbors and family members we know that do not know Him or consider Him. We need to help them know our best friend, our Savior and Lord.