An Unlikely Friend

An Unlikely Friend

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

When Cathy and Robert moved from New York to Oklahoma as college students, the transition was difficult. But God used one unlikely woman to change Cathy’s views on how to be a friend. Sonia, a nurse who lived in their apartment complex, wore strange clothes and had long, black, greasy hair. She had been abused as a child and kept to herself. At first Cathy and Robert found it difficult to get to know her, but over time Sonia slowly warmed up to the couple. She began knocking on their door to hand them plates of delicious food, saying simply, “I couldn’t eat it all myself.”

Robert and Cathy didn’t have much money or food. Sometimes they planned to eat beans until the next paycheck came in. Then Sonia would appear at the door with a platter of roast chicken and wild rice. When Robert and Cathy had completed their studies and were preparing to move to Massachusetts, Cathy and Sonia spent a day together at an arts festival. Near the end of the day Cathy said, “Sonia, you give and give, and I don’t have much to give you. But I’d like to pay you back in some way for all the kindness you’ve shown us. What do I have that you’d like?”

Sonia smiled at Cathy. “You can pay me back by being a friend to your new neighbors in Massachusetts.”

When the couple arrived in Boston, God often brought Sonia’s request to Cathy’s mind. When she saw a new single mom in the apartment complex, he would whisper, There’s someone who needs a friend, and nudged Cathy to provide a meal. She did laundry for a sick neighbor and invited a young couple and their child to share a meal. Instead of being lonely in their new city, Cathy felt warmed by friendship, for she had learned the secret of going out of herself to love others at their point of need. —CHERI

Lord, make me the kind of friend who sees and responds to the needs of people around me and loves them with your love.

Our neighbor is the next person who needs our help. —ANONYMOUS