A Friend Indeed

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort

 of feeling safe with a person, 

having neither to weight thoughts
 nor measure words, 

but only to pour them all right out

 and just as they are,
 chaff and grain together,

 knowing that a faithful hand
 will take and sift them, 

keep what is worth keeping,

 and then with the breath of kindness
 blow the rest away.  

                     George Eliot

Friends here on earth are a real treasure.

 They come and go as the Lord sends them

 into and out of our lives. 

Enriching our days and bestowing memories 

that keep our days filled with light.

photo by Jessica Meier

For my Heavenly Father loves me even

 when earthly friends disappoint, move away, 

find other focus, or turn away.

 But, we also stand together to encourage

 each other in times of happiness and trial.

 To carry the burden,
 to walk and hold each other up,

 to laugh and cry together.

photo by Lee Ann Siples in Waterlogue

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, 

you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,

 stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Phillippians 4:1