I was parked outside IHOP the other day waiting for my critique partners to arrive for our biweekly breakfast and critique meeting. I noticed a group of gentlemen standing outside. They appeared to be in their late sixties to early seventies. They are there every time we have our meeting. I refer to them as the geriatric delinquents. Friends for years, I’m sure they spent time together in the vice principal’s office and loitered outside McDonald’s or the local malt shop in their younger days and had to be hurried along by the cop on the beat.
My heart and mind went to my own special friends, the relationships that last over the years and the relationships that are newer yet the bond is so strong and tight, it’s like they’ve been in my life forever.
These are the friends you would not hesitate to call at 2:00 a.m. for help. You hope you never have to. I had to once. It was two days before Christmas in 1993. We needed someone to be with our children when we called them from England to tell them their oldest brother had gone to heaven. Without any hesitation, David said yes and his family took our children in to their home until we could get back.
I realized outside the IHOP that I have been blessed with three 2:00 a.m. friends. David, John, and Terry. Thank you.
Who are your 2:00 a.m. friends?
More important: Whose 2:00 a.m. friend are you?
Great sentiments, Henry!
My 2:00 a.m. friends are my sisters. Of course I have other friends, but my sisters would be my first call.
I have received calls at 2:00 a.m. on numerous occasions from my church friends who are in need of prayer. What’s even more exciting is when an unchurched friend calls for prayer. I love it.
Thanks, Loretta. I believe when an unchurched friend calls for prayer it’s a testimony of how effective we’ve been living our Christianity. They know we have something that can help them.
Thanks, Cheryl.
Geriatric delinquents. That’s hysterical. And I could totally picture it. A thought-provoking post, Henry.
Hey, Henry, I’m a 2 AM friend (sort of). I will have my blog about Journey up tomorrow–so I discovered your blog as I kidnapped a picture.
Miss you on fearless–hope the book is doing well.
Thank you, Julie. When I watched those guys outside IHOP, I half expected a cop to come by, swinging his billy club, and tell them to move along. And then the Lord led me down the friendship trail.
Hi, Carol,
It’s good to hear from you. Thanks for blogging about my book. I’ll check it out tomorrow.
Henry,
What a wonderful post! Thanks for reminding me that others need me to be their 2:00 a.m. friend as much as I need them.
Blessings,
Deb
I had to laugh at the ‘geriatric delinquents’ description. What a blessing to have friends that one can laugh and remember with. A thought provoking question: To whom am I a 2 am friend to?
Thanks Henry
Thanks for your comment, AJ. It is wonderful to have friendships that last through the years.
Your welcome, Deborah.
Sometimes I don’t know what to say in my blog and then God will drop something into my heart like the geriatric delinquents.
Blessings
I am fortunate to live in my hometown where my choices of a two a.m. friend are numerous, by the same token, I would be their friend day and night and have been.