Amistad

Good afternoon sisters and brothers;

Amistad is the Spanish word for friendship. And as we all know, it is important to have friends on whom to lean. Like the classic ballad by Bill Withers called Lean on Me states...

"Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain 
We all have sorrow

Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend 
I'll help you carry on..."

When Magical White Kitten was alive, he always followed us when we took Frijolito on his customary walk. The two of them walked in near perfect synchronicity, matching each other stride for stride. They were the best of friends, 

After I buried Magical White Kitten in the wild meadow, Frijolito seemed to lose his enthusiasm for his walks. He was in fact grieving. On one of our walks Frijolito made his way over to where Zazzles and Magical White Kitten are buried side by side. He sat down and stared at the spot despondently . 

Then out of the blue came Hercule Poirot, the beautiful white and grey cat who has stolen our hearts and has restored the beauty and effervescence of our customary walks. 

They are inseparable, to the point that when we are on a walk it is difficult to navigate the wild meadow. He is constantly underfoot, walking literally side by side with Frijolito the entire time. We are so thankful that Hercule chose to make Dunblane his forever home. 

Whenever I think of friendship, amistad, I am drawn to the hymn written by Joseph M. Scriven. What a Friend We Have in Jesus. It brings me comfort, and the reassurance that we always have Jesus on whom to lean, through the good times and the bad. 

" What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer 

Have we trials and temptations? 
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged 
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share? 
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer." 

Hermanas y hermanos, whatever it is that you are going through today, take it to the Lord in prayer. 
And cherish the friendships in your lives. 

Let us pray 

" May I clothe myself in  compassion, kindness,humility, gentleness, and patience. May I be patient \with my friends, and may I forgive freely as you have forgiven me. May I shine your light in my friendships , giving glory to you through all that I do, say and think." 
Colossians 3: 12-13

Diosito me los bendiga 

Paz 

I love you 

John