photo credit: mwmax.com

 

 

For those of us who were teenagers in the 1970’s, that title put the sweet falsetto harmonies of the Bee Gees in our minds’ ears. Those of a different age may still think of that song, but it won’t be nearly as nostalgic and heart-warming. Most everyone tends to think of the music of their mid-teens to early-twenties as the best ever.

 

We also tend to think, with exceptional fondness, of the friends we make during that time period.  But rare is the friend from our teens with whom we remain close through the decades.

 

My father-in-law is one of my heroes for many reasons.  Certainly part of it is because of the way he has treated me for 31 years. Most of it is because the way he has lived his life in front of me. He is a man of immense integrity and deep wisdom.  He also is one of the best examples of one of my highest values: being a lifelong learner.  At age 85, he buys and sells cattle online, communicates via text message, and has a Facebook account that he set up himself a few years ago after he Googled the instructions.

 

His Facebook posts are rare, but his post from a few days ago provided me with the inspiration for this column. I won’t post it verbatim, but in it he said, “Just buried the best friend I ever had.”  In the post, he went on to say how he had met this friend in 1946 (at age 16) and they had remained close friends for all these years.  Both of them spent a lifetime in farming and ranching and were each other’s go-to friend when any kind of help was needed.

 

Did you catch that?  This close boyhood friendship lasted almost 70 years!  I doubt that these two manly men would have ever said that they “loved” each other, but that is really what it takes to make a 70 year friendship.  85 year old manly men do not take the time to post to Facebook about “the best friend I ever had” if they only share admiration or respect. It is only deep love that draws out the best in us.

 

My friends, we have so cheapened the word “love” when it only refers to attraction or emotion.  Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:12-15)

 

Our loves matter so much to God that He gave us the perfect example of deep love in sending Jesus to die for us—His friends.

 

So, how deep is your love?  Really …

About

Just an ordinary guy living an amazing life. Amazed by God and joining Him in His amazing activity in the world. Seeking the flourishing of fellow travelers. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Singer, CoachSultant, Husband, Dad, Grandpa.