My Friend   “...the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11 What a Friend we have in Jesus! He knows all my faults, yet He called me to be His friend. He sees all my weaknesses, but all the more gladly He supplies all I need for my next assignment. I only see the next few steps of our journey together, but I know I can trust Him to lead me all the way home. He is my strength and my shield, my Shepherd and my Lord! To Him I confess every sin and failure. With Him I share all my thoughts and feelings, frustrations and fears, sorrows and joys. To Him I confide my deepest needs and longing. He always understands! He listens to my heart as well as my words. He hears my thoughts as well as my prayers. He tells me the truth, even if it hurts. He really cares! Jesus rejoices with me when I am happy in Him. When I am sad, He shares my grief. When I'm too tired to go on, He holds me up. When I lose my way, He takes my hand and guides me in His paths. My Friend is always there! He tells me His thoughts and plans. In His love-letters to me -- they are all in my precious Bible -- He confides His deepest longing. He shares His joys as well as His sufferings. He shows me why He gave His life for me: so that He and I can be one for all eternity! Because He joined me to Himself through the cross, His friends are my friends. His enemies are my enemies. His battles are my battles. And He always wins! Sharing a few of His wounds and battle scars help me treasure His triumph all the more! Every morning we plan our day together. All day long we walk and talk together. We are inseparable! My Friend is wise, patient, loving and kind. He is faithful, considerate, unchanging and pure. He is strong, dependable, loyal and true. He meets all my needs! "This is my Beloved and this is my Friend!" Is He your Friend, too? Jesus, my dearest Friend, I still can't understand why you chose me as your friend for all eternity -- but you did!  I long to be a good friend to you, but only by your life and strength can I even begin to do my part. Thank you for standing with me as I learn to listen more carefully, respond more consistently, follow you more faithfully, and minister to your other friends more joyfully. References:  Exodus 33:11; Song of Solomon 5:16; Isaiah 41:8; Jeremiah 33:3; Hosea 11:4; Luke 10:41-42; John 3:29-30, 14:21-23, 15:12-17, 17:24; 1 John 1:3. What it means to be a Christian