"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)
Yesterday I was reading The Lord of the Rings. At the end of the chapter I was reading ("Flight to the Ford"), Frodo sees a bright figure summon the great rapids of the Ford of Bruinen, and then passes out. Now, having seen the movie, I thought it was Arwen who saved the day. I made the connection from Elves to Angels, as if Elves were God's messengers sent to protect his children and ward of the workings of evil.
But today, I went back to linger on that moment, because it had a profound affect on me, and I realized I was wrong. Tolkien wrote, "it seemed to him that he saw, beyond the Riders that hesitated on the shore, a shining figure of white light; and behind it ran small shadowy forms waving flames..." Arwen having not been introduced yet, this must not be her. It must be Gandalf, and Frodo's hobbit friends.
What a striking difference from the movie! In the movie Arwen is this celestial figure, saving the day just in time, before Frodo is lost. But in the book, Gandalf, Sam, Merry and Pippin are allies who have fought alongside Frodo. Friends, good and loyal.
The amazing thing is, so often friends will stick to it. They will offer their love and motivation, all the time standing alongside you. Time with a friend is time well spent. And they believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
Friends are irreplaceable.
So I want to thank God for you. Whether you are a friend or family, I am so thankful that God has put you in my life. You keep me strong and give me hope. You give me a shoulder to lean on and a partner to dance with. Thank you for pushing me and pulling me until I get it right. Because that's exactly what I need. I love you. You know, as a friend. :-)
Especially going from UW-Madison, where I have made some really amazing friends through InterVarsity and choir, to Sky Lodge, where I already have great friendships, I've been realizing how much I appreciate the people of my life, and how much I need them.
So thank you.
~Sam
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