Presence

I become still in this moment of Sacred Space, praying here and now.

Scripture Reading

Sirach 40:20 NRSVue

Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either.

Reflection

Am I there for my friends when the music stops and the wine runs out? Or am I only there when things are good and everything is going well with them? How many friends do I have? One? Two? Ten? Twenty? A hundred? A thousand? And of those, how many are real friends? Ones I can call in the middle of the night and know they will answer the phone? Ones who would give me their last penny if my need were greater than theirs? Ones who accept me for who I am? Do I take them for granted? Do I take from them more than I give? Do I assume they know how important they are to me? Today, I will start telling them exactly that. I will tell them how grateful I am that they are in my life. I will thank them for being there for me. I will start with one. Tomorrow, another.  

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the amazing gift of friendship. Help me to be a better friend. If I am lonely and in need of a friend in my life,  I pray for that. If I am blessed with friends, I pray for others who are lacking in good friends. I thank you for all that friendship has brought to my life and I ask you to bless each one of my friends.  Amen.