“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).
Hello friends. Text exchanged about our friend hosting dinner for us at her assisted living diner.
Everyone responded with anticipation full of emoticons for the dinner date.
As the day arrived, my precious hubby and me decided to go to Walmart. After buying, hauling, and arranging our groceries at home, I asked, “Honey did you see my purse?”
“No, where did you last use it?”
“When I kept the cash back from the self-checkout at Walmart.”
Frantic search followed at home, at Walmart Customer Service, and Emergency Police who did not reply my phone call thru someone’s cell phone. I realized my lost: Bank cards, Identification Cards, Driver License, and all contacts from the cellphone.
We swung by our friend’s home to inform her of my lost purse and advised her to find a ride and call other friends for prayers. I assured her, “I cannot join the dinner but will be praying for a joyous dinner.”
Back to the vehicle my focus shifted from worrying to praising the Lord. I told my hubby, “I will not panic about my loss. I will seek and ask our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘What do you want me to learn and do about this situation?’ Do as you will.”
As we arrived home I decided to prayer walk with our dogs. Despite of the odds I enjoyed interacting and praying for neighbors. Several neighbors confirmed their RSVP for my 60th birthday party the following weekend.
The dogs and I were refreshed when we got home. I glanced on the dining table and the missing purse was on the chair hidden under the table cover. I screamed, “Thank you Lord Jesus for my divine appointments with the neighbors and for finding the purse.”
At the back of my mind I learned that God’s amazing plan for me that day was unusual as several neighbors were outside their home during winter never happened before.
Lilian what kind of friend are you? I sincerely love my friends but God has different plan for my life that day. Neighbors who joined my first birthday party ever enjoyed the get together and message about the Love of Jesus. One among them passed away seven days after my party.
There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend.
Genuine friendship means loyalty and availability to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Fair-weather friends stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they’re not getting anything out of the relationship.
Think of our friends and assess our loyalty to them.
Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages.
May the Lord bless you with friends who love at all times. Feel free to connect and pray with me.
Lilian Hosfeld 