Intentional Friendship

Intentional Friendship

Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Last spring, I had the unexpected chance to show friendship to some neighbors who abruptly had to move out of their rental house. We’d noticed a few weeks prior that their vehicles were gone, the house was dark, and no one was around. Disappointed that the family might have left before we could say goodbye, I found myself watching at the window, waiting for a chance to connect with them, hoping to see them one more time.

My opportunity came a few mornings later as I made a lunch for my daughter. I peered out the window and noticed their car in the drive, trunk open, loaded with household items. For a moment, I hesitated, looking at all the lunch items out and thinking it was too inconvenient at the time. But just then, I remembered a gift card sitting unused in my wallet. I quickly wrapped the card in a note with our phone numbers and went to say one last goodbye to our neighbors.

As we talked, they told me how hard the past couple of weeks had been and how sad they were to leave our neighborhood. We hugged as I gave them the gift card, wished them well, and asked them to please call if there was anything we could do to help. I walked home feeling encouraged that I hadn’t let the opportunity to connect pass me by.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that when we find ways to serve those around us, it’s really sacrifices that we are offering to God. Being a friend to others, even those we do not know well, is not always convenient. Being willing to stop and listen to the small nudging from God to step in, to do or say a kind word in the moment, will almost never feel timely and is often sacrificial. But I think that’s the point. Let’s not miss the little ways we might extend friendship to someone else today who may need it.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Take time to extend friendship toward someone else, even when it’s inconvenient.