Friendship

— For the week of January 2, 2010 —

The only way to have a friend is to be one.
— Anonymous

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
— Proverbs 18:24

I have never enjoyed long vacations, because the longer I'm away, the more I think about church, home, etc. Several years ago I learned to take crisp, brief vacations. I've found they relax me more than the "monster" trips. I love "mini" vacations!

One weekend my wife and I met "old" friends from college days in New York City and attended a Broadway play. It was so much fun! We hated to say goodbye. As we were leaving for the airport, my college quartet buddy and roommate gave me a hug and said, "Old friends are the greatest friends!" I hastily wiped a tear from my eye and thought, "I'm too young to be this sentimental!"

My wife often says, "You're everyone's friend!" That could very well be true. I love people, and as a minister I've run every stop sign and have spent a great deal of time becoming friends with my parishoners. However, I have no regrets about being vulnerable enough to develop lasting friendships. It has paid huge dividends in terms of my ministry.

Today, there's lots of talk about "networking." Personally, I would like to see church leaders focus on friendship-building. Whether you are a pastor or a traveling minister, a missionary or a volunteer church member, be a good friend to those God entrusts to you as family, associates, and "bosom buddies." Remember, Jesus said the world would know us by the way we love one another! (See John 13:35).

Taken from The Minister's Little Devotional Book.
Copyright © 1997 by H.B. London Jr. and Stan Toler.
Used by permission of RiverOak Publishing, Tulsa, Okla.
All rights reserved.