I begin by saying that this story has a happy ending. First, let me share a great Bible verse on friends.
Proverbs 18:24
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
The other day I said some grouchy things to my best friend of nearly 60 years. He shot back at me and then I said, “I gotta go,” and we hung up.
It took me one minute to grieve it and then I texted him, “You are still my best friend.”
He immediately answered me, “It will take more than anything you can say to destroy my friendship with you so please overlook anything I might say that is out of line.”
I knew then that we would be okay. He is that friend “who sticks closer than a brother.”
Some people in your life are friends, and some are acquaintances. You can tell the difference because a friend can go through hard spots with you, or even because of you.
I remember a time some 40 years earlier when I told him some hard things. He listened as I criticized him and told him what he had to do. He listened and then said, “Davis, do you feel better now?”
That is a friend! There are three reasons I knew our friendship would survive this too.
1. He’s my best friend, and he sticks closer than a brother.
2. He’s a Christian, and that is what Christians must do.
3. He and I are too old to make new lifetime friends. 60 years is a long time!
If you have such a friend, reach out to him or her today. Don’t put it off. Be that friend who stick closer than a brother (or sister).
Lonnie Davis