Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Friday November 10, 2006

A while ago I heard a young lady talking to one of her 'friends.' I couldn't help but overhear as I had my hand cupped to my ear. Her words give insight to the shallowness with which some hold the idea of friendship. The girl said, "Well, I never make friends with ugly or fat people." That sure left me out for added to the preceding is bald and old!

It is amazing at the character, integrity and awe we attribute to people who look nice. I wonder how many silly buffoons spend their young life thinking that they will always be young and so will their 'friends.' The cosmetic business makes billions of dollars each year perpetuating the lie that youthful appearance is the guarantor of success and deep friendship. Not long ago I asked the Great Blonde if she would love me when I am old and feeble and she cooingly said, "I do." In spite of this we are friends.

Mature men and women know the depths of ignorance in which the first mentioned young lady lives.

While I am talking about literal physical beauty, there is another aspect to 'appearance' that must come into play in true friendship. This involves the courage to remain a friend to one of your friends should they become a public outcast. You should live so long as to have your friends run to your aid if should become an outcast.

Yet, I have experienced the latter and therefore know that I am blessed among the sons of men! I recall one time during my humiliation a friend called and wanted to meet me for lunch. I wept when he called, and then he put the situation into perspective when he insisted we meet in a restaurant known for its private booths. No one would see us!! That hurt, even more than the vociferous attacks of vitriolic enemies!

It takes a higher form of friendship to be a public friend with a person who has become 'ugly' due to scandal or whatever and I pray that the Lord will help me to be that kind of friend to my friends. I thank God for a few friends who as one, Dr. Greg Dixon, said, "I am not ashamed of Brother Lilly's chain." Many others joined in Doc's refrain and I am eternally thankful for their public friendship. And I am thankful for the many who remained friends, though privately so.

An old song states, "I was near to despair when He came to me there," Jesus will always come to you when you are really hurting and you must learn to accept His coming to you, as a visit from one friend to another. He often comes in the form of a friend, a letter, even a phone call. And when your friend is hurting God may want you to be His visitor to comfort a hurting child of the king.

The story is told of Frederick North who became blind in his old age. (60) A friend, who was also blind, stopped by to visit. Lord North said, "Colonel, no one will suspect us of insincerity if we say we should be overjoyed to see each other." Real friends see with spiritual eyes!

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit

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