A Friend In Need
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up"
I can't count how many times I've taken road trips for a hunting or fishing. Sometimes I traveled with family, sometimes and occasionally with some that I didn't even know. I always tried to choose my travel companions carefully, because who You travel with can make or break a trip.
My friend Joel told of a trip with someone new to Him
He told me, "A number of years ago a friend of mine from church asked if I would consider going on a Nebraska turkey hunt with him and a mutual friend from church, who was going through a very difficult time in his life. He had recently lost a close friend, he was struggling in his marriage, he was very depressed, and he just wanted to give up.
If I was going to take some of my vacation days to go turkey hunting, I didn't want to be listening to other people's problems and I surely didn't want to play counselor. Selfishly I wanted to say no, but somehow the word 'yes' was the only thing that came out.
Over the next couple weeks I second guessed my decision and struggled with what I should say and what I could do. Finally I just asked God to use me to encourage him and give him hope.
Well, on the six hour drive to our destination we let him unpack his baggage and just listened to him tell of all his struggles. That night we prayed with him and went to sleep. The next morning was a new day and things had changed. Soon we were having a great time chasing turkeys.
As I look back on many of the hunts I've been on, few stand out like this Nebraska turkey hunt. Even though none of us got a turkey, we all came away with a renewed vigor for life, and for me, a deep appreciation and need for Christian support."
Some of my best friendships have come from unexpected encounters. We need to be available to step into an opportunity to care for someone else's needs, when presented with those needs
Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers"
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