Friends

by

Encouragement

Do not be afraid
      but take courage now.
It’s a message from God
      yet we wonder how.
Sometimes life is full
      of things that cause fear.
We’re so overwhelmed
      that God we don’t hear.
We should not be alone
      when we are afraid.
We have His Spirit
      and the friends we have made.

Sometimes we forget
      the friends God will give.
He puts them around us
      to help as we live.
A cord of three strands
      is not easily broken.
It’s not only true,
      it’s what God has spoken.
Everyone needs help
      when we get knocked down.
To pick us up gently
      and straighten our frown.

It is a good thing
      when we have each other.
To carry the load
      as sister and brother.
When one who is weak
      is helped by the strong.
It gives us great hope
      that we all do belong.
Sometimes we’re strong
      and sometimes we’re not.
It shouldn’t matter
      if a good friend we’ve got.

To carry a burden
      as if it’s our own.
Is a godly result
      of the seed that was sown.
My life’s not an island,
      I don’t live it alone.
When friends do surround me,
      each other we hone.
As we sharpen each other
      at work and at play.
We look more like Jesus
      each and every day.

So what’s growing in you
      as you look around?
Will you pick up a brother
      when he’s on the ground?
To help those who help you,
      is only a start.
To love the forgotten,
      you must open your heart.
And as your heart opens
      to let others in.
God’s courage will fill you
      and a victory you’ll win.

Before fear takes over
      and courage does end.
Take a good look around
      at who you call friend.
This may be a time
      when they really need you.
It’s also a time
      when you need them too.
So when fear arrives
      take a good look above.
And thank God for friends
      who show you His love.
©

I attended a ministers’ prayer time and fellowship this morning that I am privileged to be a part of every two weeks.  As I was thinking about the encouragement I receive from these guys, as well as the Deer Run congregation, I was praying that God would use me to encourage them as much as they encourage me.  As I was praying, God put this poem in my mind to share.  I pray that it encourages you and brings glory to God.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Friends

When a good friend is sad
     and feeling all blue.
Most of the time,
     we’re not sure what to do.
We want to be helpful
     and not cause more pain.
We’re not too sure how,
     so to help we refrain.
The problem is thinking,
     the pain we must cure.
Sometimes just listening
     will help them endure.

This problem’s not new,
     in fact it’s quite old.
Read the story of Job
     if you’re feeling that bold.
He had much more loss
     than anyone should.
His friends tried to help
     as any friend would.
They had a good start,
     as at first they just sat.
But it didn’t take long,
     to give up on that.

Their next course of action
     was some questions to ask.
To figure it all out,
     they took as their task.
There must be a reason
     for all of this loss.
He must have done something
     to offend the big “Boss”.
We know the ending
     and also the start.
The story’s much bigger,
     they only saw part.

The same may be true
     as we help a friend.
Always remember,
     you can’t see the end.
There’s things you may notice
     as they walk their road.
But you won’t see it all,
     so help carry their load.
You don’t need to solve it,
     or have the right word.
You just need to be there,
     so they know they are heard.

So how do you help them,
     the friends who are sad?
Be a good listener
     and the best friend they’ve had.
Help them remember
     the times from before.
When God has been with them,
     He’s opened the door.
And point to the future
     where God always is.
And remind them so gently,
     that they are still His.
©

Here’s another poem that came out of my prayer time for a friend. I pray that it helps each of us to remember to be the friend we would want to have.

In prayer,
Tom