A Personal Letter From A Real Friend

   I received a letter the other day from a real friend. This type of letter that comes from the heart is rare. Some letters are self-seeking and others involve themselves in something financial. Open mail at your own risk. This one is worth reading.

   Dear Jack,
    How are you this fine day? You have been on my mind lately and I thought it would be best to just put my thoughts on paper and risk sending them to you. Please do not be hurt by what I write. I really care about you and our future.
    I saw you yesterday talking with your friends. The flow of conversation seemed easy and the smiles and laughter appeared genuine. It reminded me of a poem about friendship.

“Friendship is a chain of gold,
linked in God’s own perfect mold.
Each link, a smile a laugh a tear,
a clasp of the hand, a word of good cheer.
No matter how far or heavy the load,
sweet is the journey on friendship road.”

   I waited all day hoping that we might have time for a chat. Life seems so busy now that bits and pieces that now seem pressing were looked on in the past as somewhat unimportant. The sunset came. It was beautiful and I pictured you sitting on your porch in your favorite rocking chair. Who was that with you? They seemed to stay a long time. Yet time ran out and you never called to talk. It wasn’t too late to talk, but somehow the eyes got heavy and the bed comes calling.
   It hurts when we don’t talk even about daily tasks. But I still love you dearly for you are my friend. Funny how friends tend to drift apart when silence comes and the phone doesn’t ring and nothing is said or discussed between them.
   As you slept last night I pictured myself sitting by your side. Just knowing that we were together means a lot. I could see the moonlight working shadows on your face. Somehow you looked troubled. I sat and talked with you as if you were awake. I really miss speaking with you each day.
   I know it is hard to listen when you have so many things on your mind. Business is business and I heard you were up for a promotion. I hope you get it. I long just to have the time to speak with you and listen as you bring me up to date about how things are going. We always have time to discuss problems and struggles that come your way.
   Do you hear me speak early in the morning when the song birds sing? Your Purple Martin house is full. They come every year. Lay eggs, hatch the little ones and feed them worms that are half digested. Have you watched the little ones open their mouths when mama lands?
   You remember Billy, your best friend in Bible class. You were just kids then but him reading to you those special words from the Book. “Don’t store up treasures on earth. Moth and rust can destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven . . . for where your treasures are, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). We smiled about it them, but what did we know, we were just kids.
Now that we are older, it is hard to apply those lessons we learned back then.
Just think, “I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with natural scents. . . My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest need of your heart. Trust me. Asked me. Talk with me. Just feeling my presence is insufficient. We need verbal communication.
   Well, I won’t hassle you further. It’s a personal decision you have to make. Just know I have chosen you and will wait for you. Until then, remember, I Love you. Your friend, God.”

  What a wonderful letter. A simple yet poignant plea to reserve some time each day to be together. I believe the most difficult part of living the Christian live is praying. It’s like counting your blessings. It is easy to forget.
   That may be why the Holy Spirit wrote through the pen of Paul, “Likewise, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).
   Begin again the habit to saying hello to God each morning, and repeating that simple prayer “If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take”. Being conscious of God’s presence each morning and evening are like bookends that keep communications open throughout the day. This may well be what Paul meant when he wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
   “Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto him be glory in the church of Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

 

Share Button

Leave a Reply