A true friend is a treasure, , someone who knows you well and still likes you, and an ally who sticks with you when your life is filled with heartache or spins out of control. A true friend rejoices with you and cries with you.

(From MEADOWSONG) “Kate leaned forward. ‘You are  a wonderful friend, Ellie. You helped me go on with life when I felt so crushed that I didn’t think I had a future. You were God’s gift to me when I felt I had nothing left.'”

In stories or in real life, I love to hear about friendships that start in childhood and carry throughout life. Because we have moved several times during our marriage, I have had the privilege of making new friends in new places. But, no matter what I intend to do, I have lost track of many of my friends from the past when we’ve moved on. I have renewed acquaintance with a few childhood friends, and I have kept a relationship with other friends. Most of them, however, are but pleasant memories.

(From MEADOWSONG, Kate to Jenny) “Remember, we’re friends. It doesn’t matter where either of us lives, we’ll still be friends.”

Do you have a best friend, a true friend? Are you a true friend? Friendships take time and effort to develop understanding and trust. I say things to my friends that I probably won’t say to an acquaintance, someone I don’t know well.

When I read about King David in the Bible, I wonder how different his life would have been if his friend Jonathan, King Saul’s son, had lived. Jonathan knew David had been anointed to be Israel’s next king, yet Jonathan promised to remain David’s friend and to support him as king. Jonathan proved his friendship by saving David’s life. I think David must have missed his friend’s companionship and counsel.

None of us is perfect, so even friends can hurt each other. With friends we become transparent and vulnerable, revealing our weaknesses and bad habits. I am grateful for the forgiveness I have received from my friends because of a thoughtless word or neglect.

I am most thankful for God’s forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. A true friend, Jesus gave His life to pay for my sins. Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”