There is a comfort in the strength of love

‘Twill make endurable a thing which else

Would overturn the brain or break the heart.

–William Wordsworth

Perhaps there are few avenues more poignant to experience grace than in our friendships. How we enjoy the camaraderie of a shared journey. How we long for the solace of knitted hearts. When we have them, close and available, the rest and safety they bring are like no other. When we are without friends, a solitary untethered movement is more what we experience. We wonder: Who knows us? Who sees? Who will befriend us even now, in our lack? We long for those who will ask and inquire meaningfully about how we are being. We long for friendship.

What an unexpected gift Jesus gives, then when He says, “You’re my friend. And I want you to be my friend too.” Everything shared. Knitted together. Moving in sync down the journey road. It’s honestly hard to believe sometimes…both, with people who we see and with God whom we do not see.

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed love, observing me grown slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked anything.

–George Herbert

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, who has been your friend? With whom have you friended? How has God been your friend? How have you been His?

Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.

–William Shakespeare

This week may you remember the enduring love of faithful friends. May you spur each other on, love well and in that way, change the world. May you empty yourself of all that’s yours by right to do good to your neighbor and be a true friend. In this way, the world will come to know Jesus as their friend and Jesus’ own heart will be blessed.