真正的朋友

真正的朋友
聖經閱讀：馬可福音2:1-12 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年1月8日(二)

我的丈夫羅斯在幾年前過世了，剛開始的幾個月，我覺得非常空虛和寂寞，這樣的空虛感佔據了我整個生活──我的屋子、我的心，和我對主的服事。我知道上帝沒有忘記我，但是祂好像離我非常、非常遠。 　那幾個月當中，我很多的時間是跟兩位朋友──恰克和佩姬，在一起；他們帶我去他們家，用愛包圍我，並且幫助我走過傷痛。每一天，恰克都向我保證我所遭遇的都是短暫的，我必將安然無恙，而佩姬則用擁抱和話語來安慰我。當我在憤怒和害怕的時候，這兩位朋友仍然接納我，他們就像真正的朋友一樣愛著我。 　今天的經文告訴我們有四個人把瘸腿的朋友帶去給耶穌醫治，當遇到困難時，這些朋友更加努力去幫助那瘸腿的人，他們是真正的朋友。 　今天就去跟其他人做朋友，不論是順境或逆境，都陪他們一起度過。—AD 「朋友在乎時常關懷。」 箴言17:17a 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢賜給我朋友。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (SSL譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

True Friends
Bible Reading: Mark 2:1-12
Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Several years ago, my husband, Ross, died. In the first few months after his death, I felt so lonely and empty. This emptiness filled my whole life — my house, my heart and my ministry for God. I knew that God had not forgotten me, but He seemed so far away. 　During these months, I spent a lot of time with my friends, Chuck and Peggy. They took me into their home, surrounded me with their love and helped me work through the grieving process. Every day Chuck assured me that what I was facing was temporary and I would be okay. Peggy provided me with hugs and words of comfort. These friends accepted me even when I was angry and afraid. They loved me like true friends should. 　Our verses today tell us about four men who brought their crippled friend to Jesus to be healed. When they faced difficulties, these friends worked even harder to help the man. They were his true friends. 　Be a friend to someone today. Be with them through the good times and the bad times. —AD “A friend loves you all the time.” Proverbs 17:17a PRAYER: God, thank You for giving me friends. In Jesus’ name. Amen.