How to Be a Friend
I had a neat experience this week that I’d like to share with you all. I think it may encourage you into action in one or two ways.
Most of you know Edd Breeden, a longtime local pastor and core person in our church.
We don’t see him as much these days as he’s been serving as the interim pastor in the church up in Bonny Doon for a couple of years.
He’s a mentor, friend and part of our PLT (Pastoral Leadership Team) at High Street Community Church.
He made an appointment to meet with me, and we got together on Tuesday in my office.
Edd sat down and said, “I’ve got two things I want to talk with you about…”.
He simply wanted to see how I was really doing and also help me on a project I’ve wondered about for the past couple of years, but have been stuck.
I wasn’t surprised by Edd’s visit or the topics, (this is normal behavior from Edd), but I did enjoy it immensely.
Here’s what I’d like to encourage us to consider through this occurrence.
First, and most obviously, be a friend.
Who needs you to check in on them, help them with something or just let them feel “known and appreciated”?
Edd has walked in my shoes, knows my strengths/weaknesses and has helped me many times. He is capable and was available to me. Who comes to mind that could use a pop in visit, timely phone call or a quick text? Do it.
Second, I actually had to participate as well.
It takes a risk to let someone love you. I had to tell Edd how I was really doing (not just the “fine…, really busy…, the weather sure is interesting today…).
I told him what I was excited about, some fears and burdens I’m living with and respond to his questions honestly.
Are you willing to be loved?
Will you let someone in?
Maybe you even need to take the initiative and call/text a friend and meet.
Asking for help and sharing yourself is actually a form of loving them. It says you trust them and need them.
We are in a sermon series about sharing our faith in Jesus with those closest to us.
It can mean caring for them or even letting them care for us.
God loves to work in and through our relationships.
Be like Edd, reach out and share --out of God’s goodness to you.
And embrace God’s love coming to you through other people.
Receiving is vital as well.
