Leave no man behind...

Today, I'm borrowing from the "E" in The Ranger Creed...

"Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy..."

There's a watershed effect that happens with your friends when you change churches. Sure, both sides try to stay in touch for a while, but inevitability takes over and years go by without spending time with those who you just couldn't live without before. :-(

I have a friend who this happened with. My wife and I had left the church that this friend and his wife still go to. Time ebbed and we hadn't spoken for a looooooooong time...until... I got a call telling me that my friend was going through some SERIOUS stuff. I immediately called to express my concern and to tell him I'd be praying for him, but didn't get a call back.

Hmmmm... "This are rough for them right now, should I keep trying?" I knew they were being pounded with people who were expressing genuine care and love, but also who just wanted 'the dirt'. I didn't want my prolonged absence to seem like I wanted to be the town gossip. I kept calling. I called and emailed. I emailed and called.

Nothing.

I was mad. I wasn't mad at my friend for not taking time to return my calls or emails, but mad at how many people would've given up at this point for someone who they considered a 'friend'. I resolved to keep pressing until I was told to go away. Being the cyber sleuth/nerd I am, I found my friend's work number and left him a rather blunt..."just let me know you're ok" message.

He called and is doing as good as can be. We're working on rebuilding our friendship. He knows I'm not interested in 'the dirt' but only want to be there for him in his time of need.

If you ever have a friend with whom you've disconnected with, remember...

"Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy."