Recently the Texas Rangers won the American League Championship.   After a win of this nature it’s customary for the teams to celebrate with champagne.  However, one of the key members of the Rangers, Josh Hamilton, has struggled with substance abuse in the past.  So, in consideration of Hamilton, the Rangers celebrated with Ginger Ale as opposed to champagne. 

            That is an excellent example of friendship.  A friend is considerate of their friends. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  A true friend will help others. 

            It has been said “A true friend walks in when everyone else walks out.”

            What kind of friend are you? 

            Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

            A couple of years ago, my son was playing his last High School baseball game.  It was kind of a tough night for me knowing that it was his last game.  A friend of mine, who had watched his son play his last football game just a few months before, showed up unexpectedly to help me through the night.  It was a neat gesture on his part.  And, to top it off, my son hit a home run that game!

            Several years ago, Christian musician Michael W. Smith wrote a beautiful song on friends;

            “Packing up the dreams God planted, In the fertile soil of you.

            Can’t believe the hopes He’s granted, Means a chapter in your life is through.

            But we’ll keep you close as always, It won’t even seem your gone.

            Cause our hearts in big and small ways, Will keep the love that keeps us strong.

            And friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them.

            And a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end

            Though it’s hard to  let you go, In the Father’s hands we know,

            That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends."

             "Bff" means "best friends forever."  Be a "bff" to someone this week. 

             Friends think of others.  Friends help others.  Be a friend to someone this week.