Encourage a friend, "Hang in there!"

Ephesians 4

^1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.^4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Throughout my life I have had some great friends. I have always had someone to get me through the tough times. My wife Stephanie has been one of those people, longer than anyone else. I have had others. There are so many, if I try to name them all, I might miss someone. More important than the friends I've had, what kind of friend have I been? I'm not sure I've been as good a friend as the friends I've had. It saddens me to think about it. It's never too late!

This past fall I was going through a really tough stretch and I needed someone to talk to. A very dear friend was there for me. Now that friend is having a tough time. What do you do for a friend who needs you? When I have gone through rough times, all I really want is someone to listen. Most of the time they can't do anything EXCEPT listen. It is so important to just be there. You probably can't solve anything. You can't make the problems go away. The most important thing is to help them realize they aren't going through it alone. As we say at GHS, "We are ONE!" I will be there for this friend no matter what. I trust them. I love them. I believe in them and I am praying for them. I want nothing more than the problems to go away. Until they do, I will be in your corner. "Hang in there!"