Gifts of Friendship!

     "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Ecc.4:9-10
     The house at Roaring Gap is a lot quieter now...and it makes me sad.  We've had the privilege and joy of having a bunch of Raleigh boys up here for a golf tournament, but most of them have gone home now...and we miss them all.  We miss the noise and energy and fun of all those friends joking and laughing and eating and chatting and cheering for basketball and soccer games on TV and sitting on the porch at night.
     You know, here we are surrounded by astounding beauty at every turn--and it is wonderful--but even God's lovely creation pales in comparison to the treasure of friendship.
   Thank You, Lord, for the irreplaceable gifts of our friends and our children's friends.  Each one a unique little gem of Your handiwork.  And each friend a gift from the Father in the life of one another.  Friends prove yet further evidence of our Lord's absolute sovereignty and complete goodness.                     C.S.Lewis put it this way: "But in friendship...we think we have chosen our peers.  In reality, a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart.  But, for the Christian, there are strictly speaking, no chances.  A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work."
      Aren't you thankful we have such a "secret Master of Ceremonies?"  Aren't you thankful for friends?
       Just a few memories of the gift of friendship our boys have enjoyed over the past few days here in the mountains--
      One of Preyer's best buddies warming up and getting ready to play--

   And then there was the cookout the first night--lots of buddies.  Now there's an unbeatable combination--food and friendship!  Oh yeah!  Thank You Lord!

     Peter getting ready to caddie for Preyer.  We won't mention that Preyer "fired" him after a couple of holes since the bag was too heavy for Peter to carry!  But thank You, Father, for the priceless gift of brothers and sisters!

     Then there was the whole Raleigh gang following Peter when he was in a playoff.  "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Prov.27:17)  Thank You, Lord, for the way You use friends in  our children's lives (and in ours!) to sharpen and refine us.

     And one more--four irreplaceable boys from One magnificent Creator!  Pure joy!

     Makes me smile with happiness just looking at it...and remembering that every precious friend comes straight from the hand and heart of our generous, gracious Lord.
      Oh Lord, forgive us when we take for granted the remarkable and astounding gift of family and friends.  You crafted each one of them and divinely placed them in our lives.  Help us to be wise, good, and kind friends to those You have so lavishly given to us. Might we love them as Jesus has loved us.          Thank You, Father, for all Your good gifts.  To God be the glory.