“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
I was reminded of that verse the other night.
As a relatively new homeowner, I am discovering that houses have a way of presenting problems you never anticipate. Sometimes things happen that you simply don’t know how to fix.
That was the situation that I found myself in.
On that specific evening, I found myself dealing with an issue around my house. My first instinct was to figure it out myself, and so, I searched for answer online. I racked my own brain. I looked for solutions wherever I could find them.
But eventually, I came to a simple conclusion:
I needed somebody to help.
The Call
So, around 9:45pm that night, I started making phone calls.
I reached out to a few of the guys from my local Bible study. For the most part, they are all married men. They have wives. They have families of their own. They have responsibilities and schedules that they have to take care of.
And yet, within fifteen minutes, two of these friends were standing at my door. They dropped what they were doing and came to help me.
No complaints. No hesitation. No questions asked.
Just two friends showing up for a friend.
Friendship in Action
As I considered their offer to help that evening, Proverbs 17:17 came to mind. It says this:
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
I’ve read that verse many times before, but there are moments when Scripture moves from theory to reality. That was one of those moments for me.
My friends didn’t simply say they cared about me. They demonstrated it. They left the comfort of their own homes and entered into my problem. They stood with me in my moment of need and helped shoulder the load.
That is what a true friend does.
A Grateful Heart
Later that evening, after everything was finished, I climbed into bed exhausted. I was tired and ready to sleep. But more than anything, I felt grateful. I felt grateful for those two men who answered the phone. I was grateful that I have the kind of friendships that Proverbs describes.
The older I get, the more I realize that friendships like these are not something to take for granted. They are rare, and because of that rarity, they are gifts.
So here is my challenge to you this week:
Are you the kind of friend who would answer the phone? Would you leave your house if a friend was in need? Would you inconvenience yourself for the sake of a friend?
Those are questions worth considering.
A friend loves at all times. A brother is born for adversity.
Blessings,
