When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.
On Sunday a smiling lady, (who shall remain nameless) publicly accused me of sitting daily in ‘The Oddfellows’ to write my musings. I denied it. I confess: I was in The Oddfellows last night with a friend (also nameless) when we heard this old Carole King song.
I’ve been musing on the vastly differing responses to our ongoing and ever-changing covid-world. Some folk are angry, some anxious, some frustrated, some lonely, some just weary and fed up with it all.
In such a world Carole King’s reminder of the value of friendship is timely. Even for those whose life hasn’t changed much, those who are quite laid back, there is a need for real friends.
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind
Should begin to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon I be knocking
Upon your door
Musing on the friendship that Paul and his mates showed to Christians in Antioch (Acts 15:22-35)
- Boldness – Not avoiding difficult issues
- Brothers – Bringing equality in friendship
- Barnabas – Living up to his name’s meaning ‘son of encouragement’
- Building up – Making them strong
- ‘Blessing of Peace’ – Describing the benefit of friendship
2,000 years on from the Biblical narrative, 50 years on from Carole King’s insights, the value of committed and reliable friendship can’t be over-rated or ignored.
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer, or fall
All you got to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes I will
You’ve got a friend.
malcolmsmusings.org 