— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —
Several years ago, a friend was sick and hospitalized shortly before Christmas. Together with other friends we gathered our respective homemade cookies so that when her family arrived, she was able to present them with what she could not have baked herself. In thanking us, she didn’t mention the mere cookies. Instead, she thanked us for “the sweet gift of friendship.” Those words continue to resound.
Soon we will be visited by other dear friends. I am so excited because I truly love these people and feel surrounded by their warmth when I in turn visit. It got me to thinking about that rare “gift of friendship.”
Proverbs 27:9 says, “sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.”
But it seems to me that, as in most things, there are two sides, equally important, equally joyful. The giver of friendship is blessed by the joy of giving. But the recipient must be open to the gift. Only then can they rejoice in such a blessing.
Cindy recommended the film, “A Man Named Otto”. It is about an older man, bitter from what life has dealt him. He is gruff, rude, trying so very hard to be unpleasant and cut himself off from others. He, the recipient, is closed to the gift. But those eager to bestow their friendship are as adamant in giving as he is in rejecting. In the end, though, [spoiler alert!], he recognizes the beauty of being connected. It doesn’t diminish the hurt, but rather creates a soothing shower that chases away solitude.
Can it be that, in recognizing the comfort in friendships, we are experiencing a bit of heaven, that blanket of love given to us by our Father? Perhaps every heartfelt hug, every good-natured tease, every offer to help is our God, disguised as a dear friend. We only need to be open to accept His grace.
The ACF Midweek Meditations
are written by a diverse group of our church members with the intention to seek God’s fingerprints in our lives. They range from somber to humorous and are inspired by all facets of live and faith. Written by ordinary people from all walks of life, they reflect a wide range of Christian backgrounds and spiritualities.
Each week’s text portrays the individual viewpoint of its author. They might not always resonate with everyone, and are not meant to be understood as representing the Anglican Church Freiburg as a whole. Yet, as a church that is aiming to ‘Build a Community of Grace’ we seek to practice learning from and listening to one another.
We pray that these humble ponderings add a small spark of blessing to your week.
Freiburg Anglican Church 