My Friend

John 15:13 (NASB)

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay

down his life for his friends."

What does being a friend truly mean?

Do you know?

Does your knowledge of being a fiend come from being a friend to someone else?

Or, maybe still, you simply understand in a way that you cannot put into words,

because when you needed one, someone was a friend to you.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is recorded explaining what being a friend truly means.

Sacrifice. Concern. Compassion. Devotion. Most of all, sacrifice.

Who would you sacrifice for? Most of us would sacrifice ourselves for our child or spouse.

How many would go beyond expectation or understanding and sacrifice for a stranger?

Would you? Even if it cost you beyond recovery?

When I think of what Jesus said about being a friend, I think of Weston.

One look at Weston's website reveals his heart. Weston had many items of interest on his site that revealed his passion. Among the subject matter Weston placed on his website, you would find a page dedicated to hurting and wounded pastors.

This page was given for those who needed a place to turn for a prayer partner or an ear to listen.

In a time in my life that I needed a friend, Weston gave me more than a few minutes on the phone or a quick e-mail. I remember in those particular days that Weston did not wait for me to call him. He called me. I never knew when that much needed call would come. Every time it did, the call was right on time. The words that began the conversation were always, "Brother, how are you and your family doing?" I will surely miss those calls. He did not rhetorically ask this question. He did so because he wanted me to know that he loved me and my family. He wanted me to know that he was burdened for us.

Before we said goodbye, he would tell me he loved me and would pray over me.

Many times he would also allow me to pray over him.

In the last months of his life, Weston and I kept in touch by phone because e-mail was not enough.

He would call me and I would call him. The last thing we talked about was his burden for how he wanted to make sure his sons knew him and how he would be able to spend the most valuable part of his time with them. In these days I became the one calling and asking, "Brother, how are you and your family doing?"

On Wednesday, October 10, 2008, the world seemed to be such a lonely place.

While "Googling" for a web-link, I came across a news article that stated that a 47 year old Slidell man named Weston Burnside died in a traffic accident. My heart sank. I searched to be sure there was not another person with this name. I called his phone and nobody answered. Desperately I called the school where he taught and in that moment

I learned of Weston's death.

October 4, 2008 was a day that the world lost a great man, a great friend, and a great pastor. A great father, a great husband, son and brother. On that day, Heaven was definitely increased. If you ever heard Weston sing on earth or saw him worship Jesus, you can only imagine what he must be doing right now. Singing around the throne of his savior and Lord whom Weston loved the most.

A friend.

What does it mean?

Ask someone that knows you what it means.

If they do not describe YOU, let John 15:13 permeate your heart.

Start looking for someone to befriend. Someone to share the Jesus in you.

Stop now and call that one that always calls and checks on you.

Call the one that always offers you those words, that without failure, always rebuilds your heart when it is broken.

The one that lifts you up when you are down. The one that seems to be able to lead you out of those dark moments,

and then, thank Jesus for that friend.

Today, lay down your life for someone.

Tomorrow you may need the same.

"Thank you Jesus for gracing this world ,for a moment,

with your image that you placed in Weston Burnside.

Tell him to look for me, I'll see him soon.

I know where I'll find him, right by Your throne.

Now, Come Quickly Lord Jesus,

and Amen"