A person who has friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
My childhood friend came for a visit. We laughed about old times and got somber over shared grief. How was it that I’d left this guy behind? I asked him how long he could stay and he said he’d be with me as long as I needed. I invited him to sleep on the couch and he was grateful.
I needed groceries from the store. I also wanted some unhealthy indulgences.
“Um, would you mind waiting out here?” I didn’t want him to see what went into the shopping bag. “I know right where everything is and it will be quicker this way.”
A twitch of dejection crossed his face.
Next, we stopped to pick up papers from my office. I thought about asking my friend to come and see where I worked, but what if we ran into my boss? I knew my friend wasn’t always politically correct. I left him waiting in the car.
That evening, I created a distraction for my friend so I could plan an upcoming vacation with some buddies. I sent my childhood pal out to buy ice cream. He returned to find me with a bunch of off-color hooligans and watched without comment.
At the grocery store, I’d made him wait outside like a dog. I kept him out of my work life, vacation plans, and relationships like he was a flea on a dog. Soulmates don’t treat each other like that.
I broke the silence. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I want you with me everywhere I go. I’m sorry, Jesus.”
Prayer: Lord, I invite you into every activity, nothing held back.