I made a new friend today, and it made my day. I was so excited that I called my son to tell him about my new friend …

But perhaps a little back-story would be helpful…

My struggle with dementia has left me feeling pretty lonely. In addition to this, however, I was always very, very shy and a strong introvert, and making friends has never been my forte. So when my wife suggested that a friend come by once a week to be with me, I was really excited.

Unfortunately, that first “friend” was a lady. And a nice one. But somehow I didn’t feel an affiliation with her. Nonetheless my wife continued to have her come, and each time she came, I became more and more upset. Why couldn’t my wife just stay with me instead of leaving me with this … person?

My wife kept calling this lady a “friend” when she spoke to me, but to other people, she called her a “respite” worker… Respite … Wait … doesn’t that mean that my wife wants a break from me for awhile? And the thought that she need a break from me so bad that she was willing to leave me with someone I wasn’t comfortable with left me devastated.

And then there was a second “friend” coming. My wife must really not like me to want to be gone from me for two different times during the week!

Fortunately I liked the second worker. He was computer literate, and he would take me for walks. After the first week of having these “friends” both come, I told my wife I didn’t want the lady to come again. So my wife discontinued her visit.

This second worker came regularly every week, and each week we had fun. Unfortunately he had some health problems, and suddenly he stopped coming. Around this same time, my wife started bringing in a “friend” a second time each week as well! Now I had two different people I didn’t know!

One of the new visitors was nice enough, but he treated me a bit like I was sick or something, and he wouldn’t let me go for walks. Every week he came, I got more and more upset, until finally my wife realized how unhappy I was and asked him to not come any longer.

The second of the new visitors was nice too, and he would take me for walks. But I just didn’t really connect with him. Nonetheless, after cancelling the second visitor, my wife was very clear that she wasn’t going to cancel that one…

What to do?

Today another new worker came, and we hit it off immediately. He took me for a long walk and talked with me and made me feel special. Suddenly it didn’t seem so much like my wife was pushing me aside. Suddenly it seemed like I finally had a friend! I think I liked him even better than the one who got sick! In fact I’m kind of looking forward to when he comes back next week!

This all makes me think. I have known of and believed in God for most of my life. Born and raised in one Christian denomination, God to me was like my first worker. We didn’t hit it off and I couldn’t understand why I was being forced to go to church.

As a teenager, I became involved with a different denomination, one which is sometimes found on lists of “cults”. I was pretty happy there at first. I was comfortable, and although I felt something was missing, it was so much better than the first church that I stayed. It got to the point, however, where I didn’t really like to go to church anymore… It was just too empty…

Then one day I met Jesus. Instantly we clicked and I knew I had a forever friend, one who would never leave me. Our friendship has grown since that day and He has become my number-one! Now no one has to force me to go to church. I do so because I want to. I look forward to my time with Jesus.

This is a confusing world. There are many major world religions, and within Christianity itself, there are many different denominations. But there is only ONE Jesus. One Saviour: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV). One friend: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…” (John 15:15 NIV).

Jesus is our forever friend. He will never leave us or forsake us: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 NIV). You may have tried other religions before, but there is only One Who is the perfect fit: Jesus Christ! If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart, why not do so today? You can do so by clicking here. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, but still haven’t experienced Him as your forever friend, please email us. We would love to help you!

Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries