We have friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime. When we are up in life some of our friends get to know who we are. When we are down, we get to know who our friends are.  A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversation nor being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends are never apart. Let us learn from the following story inspired by the writings of Linda Bower.

There is a field, with two horses in it.  From a distance, each horse looks like any other horses. But if you stop your car, or you're walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse. The blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect, because we have problems nor challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times, we are the guide horse helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that... we may not always see them, but we know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...be kinder than necessary-everyone we meet is fighting some kind of battle.

By Tim Pedrosa
 

  Tim