A friend closer than a brother

I received a note today from one of my dear friends in Tanzania. Our shared experience on Mt. Kilimanjaro will connect us for a lifetime. I shared the end of the story on that mountain, but it all started on day one when Shaphy was identified as my “mountain warrior” that would help set up the tent so it was ready by the time we got to camp. I might have been a bit resistant to the help when we started, we can blame that on a bit of pride and ego. One of the following days, Shaphy met me on the trail as we were coming into camp and offered to grab my pack, again, a bit of pride and ego-I had this. Then came another day, a harder day, and this time when Shaphy met me on the trail, our guide encouraged to hand him my pack, he is just here to help. This same young man was the one that ran over 2,000 feet up from base camp to bring me the life saving oxygen tank. He always had the most joyful spirit, always with a smile-on that day, I saw the fear in his eyes as well as everyone else’s eyes on the mountain. Days later, as we gathered at the hotel, all our smiles returned knowing the experience we shared would forever connect us. He became a friend closer than a brother and we have kept in touch. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV). What a blessing that an event that could have been tragic led to lifelong friendships.

I know I have had unreliable friends, many of you can probably share similar experiences. But the friends that I have made like Shaphy and the rest of my mountain warriors and team on the hike outweigh any of the damage done by unreliable friends. I have been blessed beyond measure to have friends in my life that remain by my side, no matter how difficult the days may become. They are the ones that help me find a laugh or a smile when it didn’t feel possible. They are the ones that always seem to know when to call or send a text of encouragement. They are the ones that can sit in silence by your side, knowing that you just need to process and not be “fixed”. They are the ones that stick “closer than a brother”.

Today, I pray that you not only find those friends but that you be that friend to others. Do not become the unreliable friend, be the close friend.

I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.