We Seldom Realize



We seldom realize the impact that certain individuals have on our life until they are no longer with us.  The influence can be a pleasant or unpleasant experience.  Pleasant experiences create a thankful heart for the time that we were able to spend with them, whereas, unpleasant ones serve as lessons how not to treat others in our circle of friends and family.

True friends are hard to come by—few and far between.  When we find a good one, every effort should me made to keep that friendship free flowing and open.  It is better to have had one true friend in life than none at all. 

I have never had the pleasure of knowing true friendship with another individual that lasted a lifetime.  Acquaintances, yes; school chums, yes; but none with whom I’ve kept in contact with during these fleeting years that I have lived.

I can only imagine the impact that losing a lifelong friend would be like, were they to pass away; never to enjoy the beauty of camaraderie any longer.

My wife of forty years is the one person that I consider a true friend.  To try and explain the tremendous hole that would be left in my heart if something happened to her is indescribable.  The thought of her dying brings a lump to my throat.  She is not only my friend; she is everything that I hold dear.  My life encompasses her, because she brings meaning to my existence and fulfillment to my being.  We have become one.

I’m sure you have a close friend that would affect your emotions in similar ways as losing a soul mate, depending upon the depth of that friendship.  We seldom realize the worth of their presence until it’s too late.  Flowers of recognition or a card in the mail are always nice to receive.

Separation by death is a terrible thing to experience and difficult to deal with.  With the passing of time, the longing for that person relaxes its chokehold, and healing prevails, because memories of past experiences, conversations, and togetherness never fade.  They are treasures that are carefully tucked away in our subconscious, which allow us to keep our friends and relatives alive in our heart.

Think about it; to have walked with Jesus during His time of ministry must have been awesome and very enlightening.  The Disciples of Christ not only viewed Him as their Messiah and Raboni, meaning master, but their friend who was closer than a brother.

Let us not forget that Jesus was the fullness of God in flesh.  He was and is the pure essence of love.  What person would not take pleasure in and benefit from walking and talking with unadulterated love?  

For Jesus to be ripped from the disciple’s presence, beaten, and crucified on a cross, had to have been the most devastating event ever to take place in each of their lives.  The loneliness of separation was more than they could bear, but Jesus did not leave them comfortless.  He sent the Holy Spirit to console them and bring to remembrance the amazing and wonderful hours that they had spent with the Son of God.

(John 14:15-18), “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  vs.16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever—” vs.17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”  vs.18 “I will not leave you comfortless:  I will come to you.”

It is awe-inspiring to know that Christians, today, have the power of the Holy Spirit who gives strength each and every day when we face trials, tribulations, and the lose of loved ones.  God does not leave us comfortless; we too have the Comforter.  He is always with us, even to the end of life.  God has also given us the Bible as a roadmap to help us see clearly the path that we are to travel.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Unless we slow down our fast pace living in this computer age existence, and consider where we stand with God, we seldom realize the need that is within us for a true friend and Savior.  The Lord wants to be our friend forever.

(Proverbs 18:24), “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd