I need you to survive – by Hezekiah Walker
Woke in the middle of the night. Immediately I knew it wasn’t a “roll over and go back to sleep” moment. The faster I obey, the quicker I go to sleep.
So I grabbed my phone went to my Bible app and then prayed. The word “alone” came to me. It is one of my greatest fears as a single person with no kids in her 50’s. I don’t necessarily fear being lonely. I more fear being alone. I think there is an emotional difference between the two.
I can and have been alone. I adjust and deal with it well, but I prefer working on things and walking through life in a pair or group.
I love interaction and talking through projects and challenges. I love having input and varying opinions. I think it gives shape and color to ideas. So thus, I love having close good friends.
So, I searched the word “alone” and found this scripture I don’t think I’ve read before:
“For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 KJV
I thank God for my good friends. Oh, I have many folks around me – but I have about 4 or 5 good girlfriends/guy friends that know my deep and personal business. They have been tried and are true.
They are there for me. I value their opinions. They are frank and honest. They bring out the best in me. Some I talk to everyday – some few and far between because life has grown us on different paths. Those far away friends are still good friends and I appreciate them too.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about one of my best friends from childhood- Gennell. We were as they say “thick as thieves’ when we were in junior high and high school. We attended different high schools but it didn’t matter.
We kept in touch while we were in college. As our adult lives began we drifted slightly, but when together it seems as though we were in a time warp and nothing changed. When her Dad passed she and her brother chose to stay with me. When situations arose we were there for one another – except one. I truly wish she would have leaned on me as one of the pieces of her cord as scripture states above.
Gennell became ill and didn’t reach out to any of her good girlfriends. This was so contrary to who she was. You see, all of her friends knew each other through her – no matter when they met her. She somehow connected and weaved us as the main collaborator.
When one friend found out what was happening – we all gathered/organized to act as a body of friends. Although a beautiful move…it proved too late. She passed a few weeks later. (Actually a week shy of me visiting her.)
At her funeral her spirit must have been happy to see all her friends from all parts of her life together as a group up front and celebrating her. We formed our own cord supporting one another.
Appreciate and “love on” and cultivate your friends. 💕 The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24;
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
If you feel lonely or are alone – find ways to actively reach out. Find common interests with others.
If you have an urge to seclude yourself in times of trouble, pray and God will lead you to trusted friends to upon which to lean.
Remember, the three stranded cord is much stronger than one strand to break…
lifeandgodliness 