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I have had some tough weeks.  I'm no stranger to seeing some pretty unusual things, too.  I've been around the block a time or two and sadly, I have far too many stories I can't tell anymore and the shameful memories of them.  That being said, I've never had a week like one of my dear friends had last week.

Often times in life, we as humans think it's OK and somehow it's going to help someone to tell them in the midst of despair and hurt, why it is they're in despair and hurt.  It's why Christendom has a reputation for shooting their wounded and it's a real problem for us.  We live by some pretty high standards and God calls us to be not of the world, but far too often we find ourselves in the world, or at least being victimized by it.  When we stumble or fall, we don't need someone holding us down in the mud.  We need our brothers and sisters (or in this particular case I have in mind, parents and adult children) to lift us up and dust us off and help us find our way back to God.

I found myself watching this happen to one of my dearest friends.  I saw well meaning, but misguided parents become church people who were more worried about their reputations than their daughter, pretty much throw their daughter to the wolves.  I saw my friend's daughter pick the worst week of her life to decide to play pile on and dump a whole bunch of stuff on my friend who is hurt and whose world is upside and sideways down instead of just going to McDonald's for lunch with the grandkids.

Sometimes you're the last man standing in someone's life and the choices you make can make the difference.  It's why Christians are encouraged to be like Christ so others can see Him alive in the world.

Sometimes the miracle you need shows up in the stranger that just walked up to you.

And sometimes it's a dear friend.

I got to be a blessing to someone but this story isn't about the blessing I was.  It's about the blessing we're enjoying tonight.  We have company, Miss June and I, and my friend needed some friends in her life for a minute who weren't going to judge or lecture, but just show some kindness and compassion.

What I got in return was some badly needed help.  Miss June got some badly needed company that wasn't me, and what there is in this home of mine tonight is a little bit of something that's been missing for a very very long time.

This house is filled with hope, peace, and joy.  

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