Árdís - 01.01.1962, Blaðsíða 29

Ársrit Bandalagas lúterskra kvenna
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and in Him we live, move, and have our being. No two human
beings can ever be completely united; but the believer can be-
come absolutely identiíied with his Lord and Master.
2. A true friend is sympathetic. When we come into the pre-
ences of a true friend, he immediately catches our key. If we
are weeping, he weeps with us. If we are happy, he truly shares
our joys. He is ever first to congratulate us on our successes
and to express his regrets when we fail. The true friend sym-
pathizes with us because he loves us. The most sympathetic
friend in the world is JESUS. He understands us completely.
In a certain castle in Europe, hung an old instrument. Its strings
were broken. It was mangled and damaged. The dust had gathered
upon it. Many people visited the castle, saw the instrument and
wondered whence it came and what it was. One day, an old man
—hoary with age—arrived at this castle, beheld the instrument
and smiled. He took it down, lovingly brushed off the dust, and
tied together its broken strings. Then his fingers went over those
strings, and oh, what music ensued! The instrument melted into
sweetness and the people stood in awe and amazement. They
had never heard such heavenly strains before. Simultaneously
they asked: “Who are you?” The stranger replied: “I am the owner
of this instrument. I made it years ago. I lost it, but oh the joy
to find it again.” Being the maker of the instrument, he thoroughly
understood it, and could, therefore, call forth the most exquisite
music. Jesus is our Saviour, Redeemer, and Lord, and hence He
understands us and is able to bring out the very best that is in us.
3. A true friend always construes us favorably. He never
magnifies our faul'ts nor minifies our virtues. And even when we
are undeniably wrong, his mind becomes very inventive. He al-
ways finds some mitigating circumstances—something which places
us in a more favorable light. The loving heart of Jesus will never
judge any of us harshly. He will, of course, never condone any-
thing which is wrong; but He will not magniíy it; and He will
find some way of using it for our benefit; if we repent and trust
in Him.
4. A true friend is self-sacrificing. The very nature of love
is to give itself away. Its only pride of possession is the joy of
surrender. Selflessness is always the language of love. I need not
use many words to convince you that Jesus is the most self-