A Friend

The sofa in our bedroom was covered with clean laundry just waiting to be put away. It just needed 30 minutes of my time, but I didn’t have it. Folding laundry was not anywhere on my list that day.

A girlfriend called to check up on me. I cannot remember if she sensed something on the phone, or just knew after we talked that she needed to show up at my door.

I was so embarrassed when she saw the unfolded laundry. I was tired so the shame probably did not hit as deeply as it normally would have. I was used to keeping the front rooms neat and clean, but our room quite often was the place where that tidiness stopped, especially in between hospital visits and during Chris’ Air Force deployments. Oh yes, it was a real situation!

So when my girlfriend stepped into our room and offered to fold my laundry, I could only tear up. It was never offered before because my facade of having it all together had kept most friends at arm’s length. But I needed someone to lean on that day.

Have you ever had clean laundry pile up in your home because there was a child who demanded all of your attention? Have you seen a friend struggling to do life but stands upright as if all is well?

What did you do? How did you reach out to check on them? Was there a weight that you were able to lift?

Well, my girlfriend did that for me that day when she just folded laundry. It was the act, but also the time I shared with her as we did it together. She lifted a weight. She knows she ministered to me because I told her that day, and still tell her when that moment comes to mind. I had someone to lean on that day.

I pray you have a shoulder to lean on. I also pray you will choose to be that friend. It is who I want to be for the rest of my life because of what she made me feel that day. No shame, just relief.

Listening Library: Lean on Me (Crystal Lewis)

https://youtu.be/olmGO5Bggr0

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)

Lean on Me

There's a man Standing on the corner He has no home He has no food And his blue skies are gone

Can't you hear him cryin' out

And there's a girl Searching for a father and a friend Praying that the storm someday will end But instead of walking away Open up your heart and say

I am here You don't have to worry I can see your tears I'll be there in a hurry when you call Friends are there to catch you when you fall Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me

Oh, there's a child Who is sick and begging to be free But there is no cure for his disease He looks up to his mother and As she holds his hand Prayin' that someday The sun will shine again And the pain will end

I am here You don't have to worry I can see your tears I'll be there in a hurry when you call Friends are there to catch you when you fall Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me

Tell me, how can I, how can I love Jesus When I've never seen His face Yeah, I see you dying And I turn and walk away

So hold my hand Let me take you to a friend of mine He's waiting just to ease your troubled mind He loves you more than you'll ever know Instead of walking away Open up your heart and say

Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me

Kirk Franklin, Lean On Me lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group