In the Pixar film, Toy Story, Randy Newman wrote the following lyrics as part of the movie that in many ways defines friendship. You may remember the tune –

You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got troubles, I’ve got ’em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and we see it through
Cause you’ve got a friend in me

What kind of friend are you? How far are you willing to go for someone who is not part of your family?

This evening I was thinking of a friend who has been quite an advocate for a friend who was unable to care for herself. My friend took the lady to her doctor’s appointments, fought to get her the best care in the hospital, managed her finances, and stood by her friend in the worst of times.

Maybe most importantly, my friend did all of this only for the sake of her friend. She received nothing in return. She was the kind of friend described by Solomon in the verse below.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10