Tony Campolo tells the story of how his mother requested that he attend the funeral of a neighbor that had died. He didn’t know it, but he went to the wrong funeral home. When he got to (what he thought) was the funeral home, the only person there was the wife of the deceased man.
He kindly went in, sat beside her and she thanked him for coming. Together, they approached the casket. It was at this moment that Tony realized, he had no idea who this women, or her deceased husband were. He didn’t have the heart to say anything, so he spent the rest of the funeral with her. He even rode in the Hearse with her, upon her request.
After the service at the grave site, they were returning to the funeral home and Tony couldn’t hold back any longer. He kindly explained to this grieving woman that he “didn’t know her husband”. Upon which she looked at him and said “I know. You will never know how much you being here with me today meant”.
A story like that makes you want to pass along a quick email, phone call or note to your friends doesn’t it? Makes you want to make sure that they know how important they are to your world. Might even remind you to show how a “friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”. (Proverbs 17:17)
Thank you for being my brothers, sisters and friends!
Incredible story. Thank you. You are a blessing.
Good sobering stuff man. Lately God’s been putting it on my heart to re-establish contact with old friends who are now scattered around the country. I’ve been calling them one by one these last few weeks. It’s been such a blessing.
Gosh.. thanks for sharing that.
In Jesus,
Maria in the UK
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
It was never Gods intention for us to be alone, and yet so many are, even in a crowded church on Sunday morning.
May we have eyes to see those around us who need someone to just be there for them and love them.
New friends and old, are are such gifts!
Bless you Aaron, you are a blessing indeed to this blog community!
Susan
Thanks Shane, Maria and Susan. – My studies and reading this week were such a reminder that we have to be so intentional about letting our friends know how important they are to us. I don’t know that mine will ever know, nor could I show how much I value them.