The Faith of Friends
On Sunday afternoon, the kids and I had wandered back over to the tents behind the church for some playtime when a pickup truck pulled up. Out jumped four young men, matching lanyards and tags around their necks. The driver called out to us, “are you with the church? I tried to call; we’re looking for a knee scooter.” One of the men hopped over on crutches, explaining he still had four to six weeks of recovery time for his ankle, and the hills at Champlain College were a bit much for crutches.
I directed them to hop back in the truck and drive to the parsonage garage. “No promises,” I said. “There wasn’t one up there the last I checked, but you never know!” Reconvening in the driveway, my son led the leader up the garage stairs where, low and beyond, a knee scooter in excellent condition sat waiting, and with an extra set of outdoor wheels beside. When we brought the items downstairs, the young man on crutches rejoiced, and I mean rejoiced. “Oh, this is so awesome! You can’t believe how much this means, what a difference it will make!”
Actually, all four young men were rejoicing. A bit more conversation revealed that they were all transfer students, beginning their first year at Champlain in an array of “credit confusion,” somewhere between freshmen and juniors. Clearly, they were newly acquainted with one another, yet during one of their first weekends on campus, banded together to try and improve accessibility for one who needed it.
“I don’t know if you know much of the Bible,” I said to them, “but there’s this story where a man can’t walk, and his friends carry him to Jesus. The house where Jesus is teaching is so full, they climb to the roof, dig a hole through it, and lower their friend into the room so he can be healed. What you all just did reminds me of that.” Indeed, what faith, to drive out to Underhill on a wing and a prayer that someone might be around (I was; I’m not usually), that a scooter might be there (it was), and that it might just work (it did).
What I noticed in the real-life unfolding of this biblical story is how much the victory meant not just to the one in need, but to the friends. All four were invested in this adventure, and the joy of their success was palpable and contagious. Even the neighbors could hear their excitement. My spirits were lifted and are again as I retell this, wondering at the power of (even newly formed) friendships.
This weekend, I’ll be on retreat with four of my closest friends. The five of us have committed via written covenant to support and to hold one another accountable in our respective life and discipleship journeys. Much has changed since we first put pen to paper, and recent years have left us a bit distant both geographically and communication-wise. Look out, neighbors, for there will also be much rejoicing when we finally see each other face to face.
But I anticipate that the weekend will hold opportunities for other emotions as well. I can guarantee the dropping of a few “truth bombs,” as we encourage one another in love (perhaps tough love) to confront or release some of the challenges we face. I doubt a one of us will get through the weekend without some belly laughs and a good cry, for faithful friends share in both.
It is my prayer that each of us at some point has a friend so willing to carry us to Jesus, whether for healing, restoration, laughter, or a “truth bomb.” We need companions on the journey to help us name and find what we need, to share in the pain and the joy, and guide us to becoming the people God calls us to be.
With Harvest Market upon us, I look forward to the opportunities to gather and reconnect as we pitch tents, peel apples, and arrange “clutter.” May these moments among friends fill our hearts and restore our faith as we labor for the kin-dom we glimpse.
Pastor Jen