There is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24b
In 1978 I received a gift from an anonymous person, a “Secret Pal” from
the women’s ministry at my church. Those who were part of the “Secret Pal”
program would give and receive gifts throughout the year—always anonymously.
Once a year the anonymous friend would be revealed and we would draw names for
the upcoming year. Fun was had by all as we tried to determine the identity of
our secret friend.
During a time of emotional struggle, I received a package from my secret
friend. It changed my life! Someone Cares
– The Collected Poems of Helen Steiner Rice. As I voraciously read page
after page, poem after poem, insight after insight, God began gently pushing me
into a deeper study of His Word, and I began to pick up pen and paper and to write.
After thirty-five years, I am still doing all of those things.
Do not discount the worth of your true friends. They are valuable,
insightful and a lifelong reminder of God’s love for you. They know your
secrets, your faults, your failures, your personality flaws…but love you in
spite of who you are not because of who you are. Just like Jesus!
To my friend June, the giver of the words of Helen Steiner Rice, I say
Thank You! It has and will remain one of my most precious possessions.
Today, I will leave you with a poem written by Mrs. Rice. I hope you
enjoy the poem, and call a friend to say, “I love you”.
The Gift of
Friendship
FRIENDSHIP is
a PRICELESS GIFT
that cannot be
bought or sold
But its value
is far greater
than a
mountain made of gold—
For gold is
cold and lifeless,
it can neither
see nor hear,
And in the
time of trouble
it is
powerless to cheer—
It has no ears
to listen,
no heart to
understand,
It cannot
bring you comfort
or reach out a
helping hand—
So when you
ask God for a GIFT,
be thankful if
HE sends
Not diamonds,
pearls or riches,
but the love
of real true friends.
Helen Steiner
Rice
©JP 2013
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