Friend: Five Minute Friday

This week’s word is FRIEND.

friend

As I pondered on this word I thought first of family. My husband is my best friend and we have known each other for almost 49 years. We will celebrate our 46th anniversary this year. After him my kids and grandkids are my friends. I can talk to any of them about anything. We listen to one another. We help one another.

Then there is a set of friends that I didn’t know I could have – until I met Jesus. He led me to very special friends, both ones I have met in person and those I have met online. They are my Christian friends. They offer to pray for me. I pray for them. Together we know Jesus. We talk about how to walk with Him, how to talk to Him, and how do glorify His Name. Each one has become special to me in a different way.

Jesus says He calls us friends. That means so much to me – to be called a friend of Jesus.

The hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” has a whole new meaning.

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

To have a Lord and Saviour who calls me His friend. I celebrate that.
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Because I know He is my friend I can talk to Him and I will listen to what He says.

Time’s up. Your turn. What does the word FRIEND mean to you? Join us at Kate Motuang’s Five Minute Friday. If you don’t write, read wonderful posts.

And of course, comments are always welcome. Click the comment at the top of the post.

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11 comments

  1. when I was younger we used to sing so many hymns. Now it seems we have moved to more modern songs, and while I’m not adverse to that, there is nothing that quite thrills my heart than to sing the old hymns. Something from my younger years rises up in my heart with such joy to be praising Him in these words that have long lingered with me.
    Isn’t it cool to be connected with so many different people through the family of Christ? Glad to have come upon your words today sister. joining with you from FMF linkup

  2. I just love that hymn you quoted – it is so wonderful to know that Jesus is our Friend. Another favourite hymn of mine was the theme song of a girls’ group I went to when I was little. The first verse is

    Jesus is all the world to me: my life, my joy, my all.
    He is my strength from day to day; without Him I would fall.
    When I am sad, to Him I go; no other one can cheer me so.
    When I am sad, He makes me glad: He’s my friend.

    When I was ten years old, I found that song so comforting and uplifting — and over 40 years later I still do. Thanks for sharing your post today.

    Jeannie (#34 in the FMF linkup this week)

    1. Jeannie,
      I’m going to check #34. That’s a great song too. Jesus is certainly my strength. We did 2 days at Disney Land this past week and a number of times I asked Him for the strength to keep on keeping on. I would have fallen without Him.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  3. Hello there Janis, I’m your visiting neighbor from FMF! I love this!! I am in awe that the Creator of the Universe calls us His friend. What a beautiful privilege, one of which I’m both so undeserving and grateful. And that’s one of my favorite hymns!! Thank you for sharing your words with us this week!

    1. Valerie,
      Hi FMF neighbour. I am too in awe and seeing Him more and more as I look and listen. He created us – so wants that relationship. He is Lord but also a friend. Thanks to grace we can come before Him. And it’s the first thing I thought of when I heard friend.
      Blessings to you,
      Janis

  4. Hi Janis… found my way here through FMF! (I’ve been out of the loop for a few weeks and wanted to see the prompt) I love this. 🙂 The image of Jesus as a friend is so easy to say, but sometimes hard to comprehend. I’d forgotten about that hymn and the sweet simplicity of that image. Friends with the living God! Amazing.

    And I too am married to my best friend, but only for a little over 2 years (so far!) He’s the first person that came to mind when I saw this week’s prompt. 🙂

    1. Jen,
      So happy to meet another friend. Yes, as I study His Word I realize how much God loves us. Jesus is our friend. We can call on Him at anytime – isn’t that wonderful? Jesus has taught me to love my husband more, to be more caring, tolerant, not as controlling and judgmental. A real change since 2001. The more you learn about our relationship with God, the better your relationship will be with your hubby.
      Blessings
      Janis

  5. Hi Janis. I met you over on my blog on FMF, and wanted to visit you back. First let me just say that I also am so happy to be married to my very best friend (for over 27 years) and love my dear family. I thought about writing along those lines. The sub-title to one of your books caught my attention and I found you are a fellow Canadian! This always gives me a little smile, as I was born and raised in the Niagara Peninsula, although I now happily live with my American husband and my too older sons in Massachusetts. So nice to find another friend in Canada. 🙂

    1. Ann,
      It’s so great to meet new friends at FMF. Which subtitle – Growing with God? And yes born and bred in Canada. Getting to know Americans by wintering here in AZ. Getting to know that if we are believers we can be anywhere and have a friend.
      Blessings
      Janis

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