Helping a Friend

Helping a Friend

Welcome to Christianity Oasis. This is Helping a Friend from our Sojourn With Luz Leigh Collection. We hope you enjoy this enlightening reading and it helps you on your own be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

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Sojourn With Luz Leigh

Helping a Friend

Written by Luz Leigh - 26 August 2009

The farm-to-market highway is a winding road, laid out through some heavily wooded areas. It has been a number of years since she traveled it. Some of the landmarks along the way are the same; some have been completely removed but she is sure she can find her way.

She is on a mission. Following the directions the Lord had given her ... go and minister to this one who is in need of a friend today.

She passes the road that leads to the little country church she once attended when she was in her "wilderness" ... wandering from church to church looking for a home. She now realizes her journey in the wilderness would not have been as long had she said "yes" to the Lord when He first began to call her to a new church home.

There is the old skating rink she and her friends once frequented. She can almost hear the roar of the skates on the hardwood floor, music playing in the background. An occasional "bump" could be heard when some inexperienced skater lost his footing and hit the floor. For years now the building has sat unused, left to deteriorate because of no upkeep. Breaks her heart to see the shape it is in.

Now tears flow as she passes the place where one of her cousins lived before his death. She grieves because no one told her of his death and it was months before she learned of it. His life had been a hard one. He came from a home in which an alcoholic daddy was abusive to the mother and the children. In his late teens the cousin had been desperate when trying to provide for his mother and houseful of younger siblings following the death of their daddy. He stole some hogs to put meat on the table for them; was apprehended and sentenced to serve time in the state jail. Although the reason for his stealing could have been considered humanitarian, the laws of Texas do not give the right to steal ... for any reason. After his release from jail, his life was never good; always the prison record followed him. Surrounding the house is junk of every description; abandoned cars, a tractor beyond repair, tires, a trailer no long useable, to name some of the stuff that clutters the yard. The yard reminded her of the cousin's life ... full of useless things that brought nothing good to him.

She has traveled in hard rain for a number of miles. She knows she will make the trip without a problem because before leaving home her son had laid his hands on her shoulders and placed her life in the hands of the Lord, praying for traveling grace. At the other end of the journey, her friend had prayed the same prayer. She has a gospel tape playing and sings along. She is calm.

Ahhh, the sight for which she has been watching ... her friend's truck is parked on the side of the road just as he had promised. He is parked in an area that is wide enough for a vehicle to pull off the road and re-enter traffic safely. Because of all the changes to the area since her last visit many years ago and construction in certain areas, he has insisted on meeting her at the appointed place so he can lead her to her destination.

Soon she is settled in his living room with a glass of tea. She is there to help him get through this special day in his life. This is the anniversary of his beloved wife's death. He is in a much better frame of mind than she had expected. They spend the next few hours looking at photos taken of him and his wife. Some included children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Photos taken on vacations to other states and many tourist spots in Texas. The floodgates open and he speaks openly of the happy years he spent with his sweetheart. It is not necessary for him to audibly speak of his love for her; it is evident in the tone of voice and the memories he shared.

Hours later she gets in her car for the drive home. The weather is clear; traffic is light and her heart is happy. She has helped this friend just as the Lord had directed. As she nears her driveway, she suddenly realizes spiritual power has gone from her and she is exhausted. She unloads her car, kicks off her shoes, and enters into a prayer meeting with the Lord, thanking him for a good day. He kept her safe as she traveled, He gave her the words to speak to her friend and He gave peace to the friend as only the Lord can do.

God is good. He has a plan, Jeremiah 29:11. He gives the words to speak, Luke 12:12. The day has been a success.

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