Today’s Thoughts

By Marilyn Ehle
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“…friends help each other up.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Billie was a quiet soul, one who never sought nor enjoyed the limelight. Some might have overlooked her unassuming personality and thought her somewhat dull company. She didn’t easily participate in discussions that were weighty. She was content to remain in the background at any party.

Billie and her husband were Americans living in a small town in a European country. Their two-year assignment had stretched into nearly twenty and it would have been easy for Billie to decry the long absence from parents and now-adult children living in the United States, but Billie simply continued to fill the role created for her by God: a friend. A newcomer into the community - no matter their country of origin, color of skin or status - would soon find Billie on their doorstep. “Can I take you to the market? Would you like to see some of the local sights? Do you need a ride to the doctor?” In time of need, she seemed to always know the right gift to drop on the doorstep.

We had known Billie and her husband for only two years when we were the ones in need. Our son who had been diagnosed with cancer two years earlier was now terminally ill and the end was near. One day the doorbell rang and there stood Billie: “I thought you might like some steaks.” Now who in the world brings steak when a family is facing such a crisis?? But our finances were low and steak definitely wasn’t part of the weekly menu.  That grilled steak dinner was the last full meal our son enjoyed before the cancer made digestion nearly impossible. Billie “helped us up” in a very practical way which has never been forgotten.

Frequently the best gift a friend can give is listening to the quiet voice of God and then creatively meeting the needs He uncovers. It might be prayer or flowers or homemade cookies. Or steak.

Father, thank you for Billie and the many others who take seriously their role as friends. Help me be more like them as I seek to serve my family and neighbors.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/07/22/me_gifts-of-friendship/

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Marilyn Ehle has worked closely with businesswomen in the USA setting up and participating in luncheons and discussion groups which focused on issues pertinent to today’s employed woman.
A writer, she writes devotionals for Thoughts About God  and Christian Women Today

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 am and is filed under Thoughts by All, Women's Thoughts, thoughts by Marilyn Ehle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.