Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
August 2004 Part 1

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the major ways we ‘carry each other’s burdens’ in the Body of Christ is by encouraging each other emotionally. Often the best thing a friend can do to offer encouragement is just be at hand as a moral support, as the shoulder to lean on when you can’t stand on your own. And though that may not seem like much, what can be more inspiring than knowing that someone will be there for you, no matter what?

There is often more a friend can and must do to help carry your burdens, but it starts by being there for you whenever you need him. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll always be right next to you, but he will always be ready to assist you when you go to him for help. It means that there is always an “open door” in your relationship no matter how much he’s had to give already.

Unconditional love is very rare these days. It is usually easier to leave a relationship than to stick it out through times of trouble. But Christian friends, as the Body of Christ, were not meant to abandon each other. When we do, it is like we are cutting off a part of our body. Instead, we were meant to grow together in love and friendship for eternity. If we learn to carry each other’s burdens as true friends, we will fulfill the law of Christ.

Today, you were there for me
and I was so surprised..... !
caught unawares by butterflies
and windy starlit skies

And then another day came by
and rain fell from my eye
but you seemed like a stranger
a wall, between us, lie

from another corner of the world
came love, and took my hand
shared a story with me
and leveled out the land
at my feet

I thought on this awhile
to wonder
then realized
how true.........
that God, wanted me to think of Him
and not just think of you

for, see, it was not I, nor you
that truly did we need
but God.....and, at that time,
He made good use of “we”

—Cindy Julius
© 2004 Cynthia Julius. Used with permission.

Mountain

Keep on to climb this monstrous hill—
This mountain—hell for you—
Plod on, friend; go trudging on—
It cannot conquer you!

Relief is just a clamber away—
Dig in your feet and climb!
I’ll struggle beside you—holding your hand—
If you swear that you’ll hold mine—

—Joanna Spencer
© Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission.

To My Friend Hannah

Dear friend and gentle heart,
My dearest Hannah Mary,
Today is a beautiful day,
Warm and bright and cheery.

The sun is shining joyfully,
As I pen these words to you.
I pause for a moment and reflect
On to me, all you say and do.

You are the dearest friend,
A delight to be sure.
Pure as gold and rubies,
As fine as scented myrrh.

You’ve helped me through a hard time
A time of learning and refining, too.
You’ve taught me in your ways
To always remain true—

To incline my ear to hear,
Be faithful to the Lord,
Pray with all supplication,
Spend time in His Word.

You’ve taught me that
Avoiding conflict isn’t always best—
Instead, meet problems head-on
With zeal and with zest,

But to use wisdom as well,
Coming before God in prayer.
Casting my troubles on Him
When I fall in depths of despair.

Hannah, I thank you for your smile—
A light in this darkened world.
Your heart is joyful beyond measure,
Like the rarest rose, petals unfurled.

Dear friend and gentle heart,
My dearest Hannah Mary,
Thank you for loving me
And helping my load to carry.

You’re not only a friend,
You’re my sister too.
I love you so much, dear.
Thank you for being you.

—Terra Mandrell
© Terra Mandrell. Used with permission.

Bearing Our Burdens

Bearing our burdens day by day
So thankful for friends who come our way

Lifting our prayers to our Father above
Knowing He’ll send us His unfailing love

Just when we’re ready to throw in the towel
God sends us a friend to brighten our scowl

Just when I’m lonely and feeling so sad,
Someone comes through and I don’t feel so bad.

And then if the checkbook is deep in the red
And I cry out to God while I lie in my bed

In the mail—a surprise—comes a note or a card
And a word to encourage, then things aren’t so hard!

Bearing one another’s burdens or cares
Is something that Jesus wants us to share.

—Greta Cole
© Greta Cole. Used with permission.

Steadfast

I’ve reached the edge; the path has fled,
And far below I see my fate—
But you’re still here, my steadfast friend,
To make the darkness dissipate;

Yes, I remember when we found
That loyalty is not an option,
We’re one in Christ, forever friends,
And that we’re brothers through adoption!

I know that we’re supposed to bind
With a relentless dedication,
That we’re to bear each other’s loads,
As an unbending inspiration,

But when I reached the end at last
Who would have guessed you’d still be here?
I thought despair would conquer me,
But now unfailing love appears!

Though trials and troubles tear at me,
The Body of Christ can never break;
And when two friends will stick together
There’s always another road to take!

—Benjamin Graber

For the Love of a Friend

I said, to the Lord, “Can I be a friend
And will the price be high?”
He did not answer, but looked intent ~
With the hint of a tear in His eye.

“What is the price to have a friend
And to love as You taught me to do?”
He bared His back and showed me the scars
Where the whip had slashed in two.

When He turned, again, I saw His head,
With scars in a band above,
And I saw His hand. He showed me His side;
Oh, God! ... The price of Love!

When my friends are saddened by some hurt
That grieves their sensitive hearts,
I see the Lord and I know the price
To pay, that is my part.

If I did not love, there would be no pain.
There’s great risk and vulnerability.
But the muscle, that’s exercised, makes the gain ~
When Love is shared as He meant it to be.

© 1982 by Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com
Used with permission

Presence

You may not think
That you are helping—
You may assume
I’m hurting more—
You may think
A million things
And never know the truth—

Your presence on the phone line
Is all I need right now—
I want you to know that it’s easing me
To hear you breathing—

You may be crying;
I know you are—
You may be twisting
In pain again—
You may be thinking
You’re all alone,
And no one really cares—

But my presence on the phone line
Is all I have to give—
I’m out of wisdom, so I hope it helps
To hear me breathing—

—Joanna Spencer
© Joanna Spencer. Used with permission.

I leaned on you
and in leaning,
fell,
into the arms of God

The Human

Within each living man there doth reside,
In some unrifled chamber of the heart,
A hidden treasure: wayward as thou art
I love thee, man, and bind thee to my side!
By that sweet act I purify my pride
And hasten onward—willing even to part
With pleasant graces: though thy hue is swart,
I bear thee company, thou art my guide!
Even in thy sinning wise beyond thy ken
To thee a subtle debt my soul is owing!
I take an impulse from the worst of men
That lends a wing unto my onward going;
Then let me pay them gladly back again
With prayer and love from Faith and Duty flowing!

—George MacDonald

Clasp My Hand

Flailing, lost within a dream-filled sea,
Abandoned to a lifeless destiny,
Choking on the hopelessness of solitude,
You desperately reach for a better mood,

But you cannot reach the solid ground,
The sea consumes, inhales, is all around,
With a gasp your head sinks underneath the waves—
No driftwood near! No lifeboat here to save!

I was waiting here for you; awake
I watched horizons you would take,
Then I saw you going down in your despair,
And here I come! All danger I will dare—

Clasp my hand, my friend, with all your strength;
I braved the waves, and scoffing at her fangs,
I have come to save you from her deadly hands.
So climb aboard, and find the love of friends!

—Benjamin Graber

You’re Not Alone

I know that you are hurting, so I’m asking God above
To heal your broken heart, and give you peace.
I pray you’ll feel the comfort of His everlasting arms,
Enfolding you with healing, sweet release.

Because I know He feels your pain, and even saves your tears,
I pray your weeping soon will turn to joy;
And that you will be free from all the irksome little things
That oftentimes embitter and destroy.

I ask for you the strength to face whatever comes to pass;
That you’ll not be discouraged or depressed.
But as you wait upon the Lord, you’ll feel a strengthened heart,
And He will calm your fears, and give you rest.

Remember that you’re not alone, and you are dearly loved,
And you have many friends who truly care;
Who want to help you lift the heavy burden on your heart,
And constantly remember you in prayer.

© by Betty Jo Mings
http://www.bettyjomings.truepath.com
Used with permission

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

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