My author friend, Maggie Wallem Rowe, had the privilege of sharing a working lunch with the Rev. Dr. Barry Black, who has served as Chaplain of the United States Senate since 2003.  Dr. Black, who grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Baltimore, held master’s degrees in divinity, counseling, and management as well as a doctorate in ministry and a doctor of philosophy degree in psychology.  “One smart dude,” my friend says.

Dr. Black was asked to say grace before the group began eating, and Maggie said that she expected a lengthy prayer.  Instead, this is what Dr. Black said: “Dear Father, there are friends who have no food, and those with food who have no friends.  Today, Father, we are most fortunate to have both food and friends.  For this we most humbly thank you.  In Christ’s name, Amen.”                                                                                                                                                  During this Thanksgiving season, I am reminded of how much I take my friends for granted.  Oh, yes, I always am thankful for the elaborate buffet spread before me as my daughter-in-law Jenn opens her home to dozens of relatives and friends, but when was the last time I thanked God for old (and new) friends who forgive my failings and seem grateful for the times (fewer than ever due to my new job) that we can hang together or even talk on the phone?  Those who never make me feel guilty but manage to pick up where we left off every time we reconnect?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 weighs the importance of those kinds of friends:  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.           

Let’s be honest.  Losing friends is easy.  Making friends takes effort.  Or God does it for us.  In the Bible, we read about the Christian-persecutor, Saul, who was determined to stop the movement of Jesus followers.  In a split second, a blinding bolt of light caused him to fall off his horse, lose his eyesight and meet Jesus.  How desperate he must have been…until, that is, God introduced him to two of the best friends he would ever have.

First, God commanded Ananias to go to Saul to support him through his anguish and to teach him about Jesus Christ.  And then there was Barnabas, Paul’s friend in Jerusalem through which he met the disciples.  Like all good friends, they were present. Especially in hard times.  Good friends drive hundreds of miles or jump on a plane to be with us when we are struggling.  They make the effort…with no guilt or excuses.

Good friends know how to speak the right words at the right time.  Or they just remain silent and let their presence speak for them.   Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

Ananias did not berate Saul on what a terrible person he had been.  Instead, he shared the truth with Saul in a very gentle way and baptized him. The first person whom Saul saw after he heard the truth of the Holy Spirit was a God-sent friend.  For several days, Ananias encouraged Saul.  Good friends look for the best in each other.

Acts 9:26 says that the disciples were terrified of meeting Saul.  Enter Barnabas who joined the band of twelve and Saul together to form a partnership that birthed the Christian church.  Barnabas stayed with Saul for a lifetime. They started churches together, they grew missionaries together, and they even stayed together in the midst of disagreement.

During this Thanksgiving season, thank God for the true friends with which He has blessed you.  More importantly, be that friend to someone else.