The Gift of Friends

Shall I plug in your laptop?” Melissa asked as she helped me unpack at the location of our next presentation appointment. “The cord is in the zipper bag in my carry-on,” I responded. “The bag is empty” were the next words I heard, followed by, “This is most disconcerting.” I laughed at Melissa’s choice of words but stopped suddenly as they registered.

The power cord was not in the zipper bag, and I was scheduled for a presentation in less than a week. And my laptop had only four hours of battery time left.

“Dear God,” I heard Melissa whisper, “You know where the power cord is. Help us remember.” We did remember. “I’ll bet it’s still sitting on the floor in Idaho,” said Melissa, trying to sound cheerful. But we were now in the state of Washington—for the next five days. The computer company indicated they would be happy to send out a replacement cord for a “ridiculous sum of money,” as Melissa put it. The other problem was that it would arrive in ten to fourteen days. By then, we would be in yet another state! “Dear God,” I heard Melissa say again, “You know she has never forgotten her power cord before. Not in nearly one hundred years.” (How I struggled not to laugh!) Melissa continued: “Please help us to think of another solution.” “Carol!” I heard myself saying. “I’ll text and ask if there is any possibility that Carol could retrieve the power cord and ship it here overnight.” “She will!” cried Melissa.

“You’re lucky to have a friend like her!” A couple of hours later, it was a done deal. Carol could get the power cord to me in time for my seminars—and at less expense than purchasing a new one. The apostle Paul regularly thanked God for his friends and mentioned them in prayer (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3). Genuine friends are gifts.

Is there someone for whom you need to give thanks today? Over time, neglecting to do that could be most disconcerting.

Arlene R. Taylor