This Christian Life

A Good Friend

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 27:9

This weekend I had the privilege of visiting with an old friend from college. It was as this verse says—pleasant. It is true, the counsel of a true friend is like a sweet smell that brings joy to the heart.

We haven’t seen each other for almost 2 years, but somehow the conversation seemed like we had seen each other last week. As I grow older and have friendships that have lasted for years now, I’ve noticed that friendships they grow sweeter with age. I cherish that. I can only imagine what it will be like years from today when we look back on all the things we’ve learned and talked about and experienced together and cherish the deep, pure, savory moments of a well-loved friendship.

Thank you for your friendship.

Old friends,
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends.
A newspaper blown though the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes
Of the old friends.

Old friends,
Winter companions,
The old men
Lost in their overcoats,
Waiting for the sunset.
The sounds of the city,
Sifting through trees,
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends.

Can you imagine us
Years from today,
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy.
Old friends,
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fears

Words & music by Paul Simon