My Friend John

By Ted Mock 

September 2, 2026

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

After Jo and I finished a long VBS season this summer, we drove from Ohio to Indiana to spend some time with our dear friends, Rosie and John. Over the years they have become close friends, and they often open their home to us and refresh us with their gracious hospitality. Their place is a quiet paradise with manicured landscape and a beautiful fishing pond.  They are wonderful hosts who not only open their home to us, but their hearts as well.  As couples, we freely share all the trials and troubles of life, and with listening ears, sympathize or encourage each other.    

The plan for our short visit was to go to the Indiana State Fair, and maybe to fish a little in their pond.  But there was a major project that needed to be done on the property, and the contractor could only get to it on that day. John told us to go, but I stayed behind with John.  Privately, I said to Jo that helping John was more important than the fair or fishing… because he was my friend.  She responded, adding to my alliteration… because he is family.

Later, when the neighbor came to see the work, he said that John was the best neighbor a man could have. He too was a friend of John, one of many, and I know several in ministry who also call him friend.

Along the way, as you serve the Master, you will find He will provide friends to lift you up, friends closer than any the lost world will ever know. John and I are family, we are brothers, not because we have the same earthly mother but because we have the same heavenly Father!

Reflection—In the life of the believer, we need to show ourselves friendly, and there is no greater friend than our Lord Jesus.