The Best of Friends

I think that I have the best friends in the world. Whether I’m struggling or succeeding, I have someone to commiserate or celebrate with.

What is a friend? I think a friend is someone who loves you enough to be honest with you, to look out for you, and to be there whether it’s feast or famine.

The Savior called us His “friends.” President Monson and Hinckley call us their friends. Do we not have a responsibility to be friendly to all?

Joseph M. Scriven penned a hymn to sum up the love and friendship that we have in Jesus:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
I’m going to change the words of Elder Wirthlin, from love to friendship in this quote:

“True [friendship] lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the [feeling] our [Savior] bears for us. We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it. Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.”
Let’s not give up. Let us show the love that each of us wants to be shown.

And one favor, for me. Cory DeVaney is in Iraq right now. He is constantly on the brink of life and death. Will you join me in prayers for Cory this week? I feel like he needs them.