August 10, 2021 (Tuesday)
I am thankful for family and friends. I’ve lived a long time, have a large family and many friends in many places. I am actually a rich man–rich in family and friends. I feel the love daily. How very fortunate I am. I have held each child, grandchild and great grandchild in my arms as soon as I could, several times on the very day they were born. I loved them then, but now that I know them, I love them more.
And friends. Somehow we met, either formally or accidentally. With some, we cannot remember actually meeting, but we have grown to love one another just the same. And now, a host of those friends have joined those family members who have moved on to be with the Lord, and I love them still. But life is wonderful because so many family members and friends are still in this world to make this a wonderful life in a wonderful world.
And let us not forget that Jesus is our best friend. We sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” and then we sing again, “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joys we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.” Let us remember that there is no greater friend that the one who laid down his life for us. Each day we recall His undeserved sacrifice for us and His glorious power over death. His Spirit — the Holy Spirit — is our comforter and counselor, our friend.
IN THE GARDEN
C. Austin Miles
1912
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain