Friendship Unleashed

Friendship Unleashed

It is refreshing to witness friendship unleashed today. Meet Heidi, a yellow lab mix, and her new best friend, Eli. Here’s their story as told by owner Chuck.

“The coolest thing happened to me! I decided to go to the animal shelter to see if they might have a suitable companion for Heidi. She has been so lonely and grieving since her buddy, Harlee, passed away. An older gentleman pulled in just ahead of me, and we walked in together. He told the lady at the front desk that someone had dropped a dog off near his home and explained that although he has been taking care of him, he was unable to keep him. He asked her what their policy was and if she could guarantee the dog’s adoption. She explained that she could not promise him anything. He then told her that this dog was too sweet to leave without knowing what would happen to him. I was standing right there listening and asked if I could see the dog. We walked out to his truck and when he opened the door to introduce us, the gentleman asked me if I was a Christian. I said, ‘Yes, I am!’ His response was, ‘There’s a reason you pulled in behind me.’ Once I met the dog, I knew exactly what he meant, because we had an immediate connection. And Heidi loves him. They appeared in each other’s lives at just the right time, each meeting a need in the other, and now they are inseparable best friends. It’s truly a picture of unleashed friendship.”

“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10).

I want to step it up a notch and share Avery’s story who is Chuck’s wife. A sweet friend of mine, Avery has been walking through a difficult health challenge this past year. Here’s her story.

“Where do I even start? My friends and family have literally been the hands and feet of Jesus in the midst of the biggest storm of my life. The Lord has truly carried me this past year, and He has used my friends, family, and at times people I have never met to provide my every need, sometimes before I even knew I had a need. Their sweet visits calmed and reassured me, more than I can express in words. I never felt alone. Their precious prayers and cards comforted me and helped sustain me over and over again. Oh, the love! Their delicious meals fed me and helped strengthen my body. Their generous financial gifts made it possible for my family and I to stay in an apartment in Houston for seven weeks without having to drive back and forth every day for treatment. They took turns staying with me so that Chuck could come home some each week. Their faithful texts and calls flooded my phone, my heart, and my mind with encouragement multiple times a day. Therefore, I want to thank those who reached out to me in any way over the past year. You are my people, and I love you. I pray you are blessed beyond measure for every act of kindness you have shown me. Thank you for listening to the Lord.”

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

I ask you: What is life without friends? Not much. Today is a good day to get outside of ourselves and extend unleashed friendship to another.