There is nothing like a good friend to brighten your day.  They can encourage you when you’ve failed, support you when you’re down, love you despite your imperfections and be willing to do anything for you.  To be a good friend isn’t always as easy as being the one on the receiving end of friendship.  Where do we start to establish that kind of relationship?

Probably the best example of total and complete friendship comes from Jesus.  He walked the earth with man even though He is God.  He struggled through the same kind of difficulties we face each day and He felt the sting of disappointment, the stabs of abuse, the penetrating words of hatred and bullying.  He suffered – not because He had to – because He loves us so much that He was willing to. He faced the same kinds of temptations we do each and every day, but He overcame them.

He had the power to destroy His enemies as He faced them, but He didn’t.  He could have obliterated Satan and all His angels with one blow, but He didn’t.  His power is beyond comprehension, but He chose to take on our burdens rather than just eliminating them.  What kind of earthly friend do we have that would do all that?

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!”

                 Joseph M. Scriven

Thank you, Jesus, for being my best friend forever.  You have walked with me every step of my life and I know you will continue to even after I pass from this world.  I look forward to the day when we can meet face to face.  Until then, please continue to stay at my side and guide my every step.