July 21 -The Miracle of Friendship

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)

The mother of one of our dearest friends here in Netherfield, is dying of cancer right now. I came across this article I have adapted, by Melanie Shankle, and was struck by how closely we are united by our feelings at this time.

I realize that’s not really an uplifting start to your day. But it’s the reality. We have all experienced the pain of saying that last “goodbye” to someone we love and Shirley, Bryn, and family, are heartbroken right now at the prospect of losing their mum. She’s been a constant presence in Bryn's life since he and Shirley first met. and at Netherfield, our love and friendship with Shirley, and Bryn, goes back to the 1970's when they were baptised and gave their lives to the Lord's work.

Quickly they became our dearest friends, along with mum, as we learned all the ways we were alike and all the ways we were different. God used them to draw hearts back to Him as they demonstrated how to make faith a priority. I look back at that time and realize God very purposely knitted our hearts together during those years. He knew all the ways He would use us to encourage and strengthen one another.

As we see in our key verse, 1 Samuel 18:1, God sometimes knits our hearts with others like He did with David and Jonathan. He puts people in our path because He knows we’ll need them.

Jonathan was just what David needed at that stage of his life. David was a young shepherd thrust into the spotlight. And based on some of his future writings in the book of Psalms, maybe a little overemotional at times.

David was often overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and depression, and being hunted by a crazy king. (aren't we all - with the exception of the crazy king.) But Jonathan loved David, believed in him, and sought God’s best for him. Jonathan’s friendship was what David needed to grow into the king and leader he was to become.

As women, many of us spend our early lives thinking about marriage and hoping to find Mr. Right. Then we realize our husbands don’t necessarily want to hear all about the best supermarket bargain or cry with us over the kid who’s failing math or eats cookie dough straight from the bowl. That’s why God gives us our girlfriends.

Beyond common interests, affection and a sense of humour — the aim of friendship is to sow into each other words of eternal life and blessing. We remind each other of God’s wisdom and provision, refresh each other’s spirit and strengthen each other’s faith.

Good friendships require walking with one another down some hard roads, losses, a bad diagnosis, financial problems and much more. We need friends to help us remember what God has done for us and that He will be faithful.

In 2 Samuel 1:26b, David says of Jonathan, ” … Your friendship was a miracle-wonder, love far exceeding anything I’ve known — or ever hope to know,” (MSG). That’s ultimately what God gives us in friendship: a real life, everyday miracle in the form of another person.

But having our soul knitted to another isn’t for the faint hearted.

It means you bear your own hurts along with those of your friend. You cry when they cry and laugh when they laugh and feel like your heart will break wide open when you face not having them by your side, or see them hurting.

But it’s worth it because they cause you to love harder, laugh louder, live richer and become more than you could ever be without them. It’s putting your heart and your name in the hands of another person and saying, “I trust you with all of this,” as they do the same.

More than this, we have the promise of God - “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” - John 14:1-3.

"Hold me While I Cry" will be the music today. Click on the picture to listen.