Warm Relationships

Warm Relationships

Go in peace for we have sworn friendship. 1 Sam 20:42

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35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, 36 and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, "Isn't the arrow beyond you?" 38 Then he shouted, "Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39 (The boy knew nothing of all this; only Jonathan and David knew.) 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, "Go, carry them back to town." 41 After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side [of the stone] and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together--but David wept the most. 42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'" Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. 1 Samuel 20:35-42 (NIV)

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Jenny lived in a large ward for most of her young life. According to the wisdom of
the day, she was considered incapable of understanding and her misshapen body lay
day after day for thirty years in an enclosed cot. Her meals were served through
a funnel, in order to shorten the time necessary to feed her, as fifty
others also required attention.

An opportunity came for her to return to her country of birth, to live in a small
home with three or four others. A wheelchair was developed that would fit her body
with sufficient support and comfort. There was now time for attention during meals
and although her food still had to be run through a blender, there was time to feed
her spoonful by spoonful. Conversations were part of the mealtime. It was not long
before her support caregivers and new friends realized that Jenny was laughing
right along with the others when humorous things occurred. Although her body was
very limited physically, her mind was obviously quite active, and she appreciated
the wonder of the newly unfolding world all around her.

During one of my visits, I watched as the staff arranged a place for Jenny and
one of the young men in the dining room after the meal. The two wheelchairs were
placed side by side in a manner that allowed Jenny and this young man to face
each other. The lights were dimmed somewhat and lovely music was put on for
their enjoyment. Jenny had a life. She was living. She was loved and included.

That evening, as each person was readied for his/her night’s sleep, I watched
a loving friend bend over Jenny to kiss her goodnight. There was a sparkle of
anticipation in Jenny’s eyes as she looked up from her bed. Just as the worker
rose to leave the room, she turned and punched the waterbed with a laugh.
Jenny’s twisted little body rose and fell with the ripple of the water under her.
From a lifetime on a firm mattress and the ensuing bedsores, Jenny was floating
on a waterbed that fit her particular needs with warmth and comfort.

Have friends enriched your life? Have friends helped you through darker days?
Jenny was not ‘healed.’ She still lives in that wounded body, but Jenny’s life is not
the same. She has been blessed with friends. It is a special blessing because of the

way God has wired her. Why not take a few moments today to send a card or to tell
those dearest to you of the blessing they have been to you? Have you ever
thanked God for these friends?

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Heavenly Father, thank You so much for wiring me so that I can find such richness
in my relationships with people. I am most unhappy when feeling lonely. However,
a visit or kind word from a friend never fails to warm my heart and enrich my day.
Many times it seems that my journey with You is as much a journey with the
friends that you have placed in my life. Thank You so much. Amen.

- Noel Churchman

Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.