Recently, I was with very good friends staying in their beautiful home. It was the first time that our smiles connected since they relocated to a new job. My travel schedule took me out of town when word of their departure reached me.

Email and texting kept us in touch. We kept looking for an excuse to catch up. Finally, it worked out. My GPS led me right to their country home. Climbing up to their front porch, I took in the gorgeous surroundings.

Everything fell away when the smiling face of a dear friend came bounding down the hall way and threw open the front door. It’s the glistening cheer of sparkling eyes that give a clear look into the sincerity of the soul. The words that flowed were joyous, loving and energizing. Our embrace lingered.

We all went out to share a meal together. The fare was scrumptious. News items in our lives filled the evening.

Then, we retreated back to their house. The evening entertained us with conversation and fellowship. That’s when the observation from my friend stuck with me.

In times of difficulty you find out who your friends really are. What a poignant statement. It puts great value on true friends.

I have been blessed to both have true friends and be one. Those who embrace us, fellowship with us, cheer us on, speak well of us, and give help just at the right time are all wonderful friends. God seems to send them along as His messengers.

One true friend helped fix our ailing airconditioning unit. Another friend brought boxes for us to pack some of our fragile items. Yet, another helped us arrange temporary storage. Then, two others have offered us temporary housing. One took me out to see a movie.

A true friend covered the cost of my oil change. Then, yet another made it possible for a very expensive vehicle repair to come out a lot more inexpensive than I was expecting. Another sent a gift card in the mail.

Hugs abound. Encouraging words flow freely. Prayers are lifting me up daily.

One of my favorite movies is It’s a Wonderful Life. George is declared by his brother at the end of the movie to be the richest person he knows because of all the friends that he has. I too have been blessed with a wonderful life because of true friends.

photo credit: Google image