James Taylor’s famous song, “You’ve got a friend” calls it out well…
“You just call out my name,
And you know where ever I am…
I’ll come running…
Oh yeah, to see you again…
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall,
All you have to do is call…
And I’ll be there, yeah yeah yeah…
You’ve got a friend…”
When my friend Denise was battling breast cancer, her best friend, Nancy Cline, showed us all what it looked like to be a real friend. Michelle Robin, another good friend, told me that she had learned from Nancy what it was like to be a true friend, and that she hoped to rise to that level. My observation was the same. I stood in awe and hoped that I would also rise if called to the bar she set.
Nancy’s care and love was so real, so raw and touching, that you felt you were in the presence of a saint, an angel or someone who truly was anointed. When you consider this insight and example today, I hope that you will allow yourself to go deep and truly think about your dear friends and how you care for them. I know upon my own assessment that I love well, but I’m not sure I get an A. Nancy showed me and those lucky enough to witness her in action a few things I believe deserve all of our attention….
- Love when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
- Give your whole self.
- When needed, shift your life’s priorities so that what needs the most attention receives it.
All of these are about intention, which is what we talk about a lot in this blog. Living fulfilled lives… serving well… All requires being intentional. If you aren’t, you spend the night at a PTA meeting instead of at the home of your dear friend in need.
Can I ask you who needs you more at that point in time? I know it’s hard… life seems to consume us… I’m guilty. It shouldn’t be hard. Nancy has clarified this for me, it is simply about who needs you and sacrificing personal or perceived other needs to be where you are needed the most.
This blog could be three pages, but I want it to stay focused. Focused on the clear message Nancy gave us and that is to RISE. Rise to be the friend you hope to be!
Nancy, we thank you for your heart, your example and pray that many lives will be enriched because of how well you serve.