For a season every Thursday morning between 7 and 8 one of my daughters would send a random text to the ladies of her church.
In December the ladies gathered for the annual women's "mug and stocking" fellowship. Marla gave the devotional at the event. When she began her message she said one of my daughter's texts had shaken her. The text said "What makes a great friend?"
Marla is an older woman. She has many friends and has had many more but the thing that shook her was that all her friends are current. She does not have that old friend she went to school with or someone she used to live near or go to church with. She knows many who have old friends but she does not. The thought caused her to spend time with the LORD to pray it out for Jesus is our greatest friend.
Her devotional continued and then she ended with her version of an old hymn. I share it here with you.
....Marla's version....
What a Friend We Have In Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
Yet He has given us each other, the burden of this life we share.
When sinful self I hold most dearly, When fear of man stunts truth and care,
We withhold a gift so precious, A love that always trumps despair
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
Remind each other we are treasures, by Grace He chose our souls to spare.
Speak the truth in loving kindness, show mercy to the one caught in a snare.
When Grace received is quickly given, His Grace sufficient we declare
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
As daughters of the King we have a refuge, for us did Christ himself prepare.
When Satan wounds with words of lonely, Hold fast this truth so sweet so rare.
When-we-love each other as He loved us, the best of friends is always there.
When Satan wounds with words of lonely, Hold fast this truth so sweet so rare.
When-we-love each other as He loved us, the best of friends is always there.
When-we-love each other as He loved us, the best of friends is always there.