Craig Clouston

The Wounds of a Friend

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:6

As Kevin sat at the bar kindling a conversation with the girl beside him, he noticed Nathan come through the front door. Just great, he thought through his alcohol-tainted brain. Now I get to listen to Nathan’s fidelity sermon.
Nathan moved up beside Kevin and spoke just loud enough for Kevin and the girl to hear. “Hey, Kev. Missy was kinda wonderin’ what time you’d be home for dinner. She and the kids were hopin’ you’d take them to the movies later.”
Kevin watched his chance for a late-night rendezvous end as the girl got up and left. “What the hell do you think you’re doin’, Nate?” Kevin said heatedly, shoving Nathan against the bar.
“Kev, you’ll regret doin’ somethin’ stupid when you sober up. Come on. You know an affair won’t solve anything. Missy deserves better than this from you. All you’re gonna get from this kinda thing is trouble and heartache. The worst is that Missy and the kids’ll pay the heaviest price.” Nathan led Kevin to his car and drove him home, thankful that Kevin had not argued. It wasn't the first time he’d opposed Kevin’s loose lifestyle. He hoped and prayed it would be the last.

†

True friends don’t sit idly by and allow us to throw our lives away. When we care enough to be involved in someone’s life, we have a responsibility to him. If we see him making mistakes that could harm him or others, we have a responsibility to intervene in love.
Nathan’s strength and wisdom had spoken truth through the alcohol’s hazy temptation. Only the faithfulness of a true friend had prevented Kevin from making a huge mistake. Out of all the men in the bar that night, many whom Kevin considered friends, only one had proven worthy of the definition. All, save one, thought his actions were acceptable.
True friends tell us the truth. Confronting a friend in love can be uncomfortable. But that discomfort is only temporary.

Prayer

“Lord, give me strength to be a true friend. Help me to never look the other way when a friend’s life is at stake. May You bless me with a friend as faithful as Jesus. Amen.”