Friendship

Friendship is a gift from God;

     communion points to Heaven.

Though our time on earth be flawed,

     a friend is mercy given.

Mercy from the Throne above

      where our Father of Lights shine brightly,

      where angels behold His radiant face in awe,

      where saints bow down and cast their crowns

            before His feet contritely.

And mercy trickles down,

      oozes round, pours around—cascades profound!—

      and comes with grace for duty.

And meeting with a friend becomes

      a conduit for mutual betterment:

           enhancing, polishing, sharpening, smoothing—

      against dark hate, a thing of beauty.

A friend will point us up to Christ,

     encourage through life's progress,

will count the cost and pay the price,

     to see us lay hold of great success.

God gives us friends—

     oh! to be friends indeed!—

may hearts with God and Spirit blend

     to love in word and deed.

- D. Benning