A Song in the Night
Her husband was working an all-day shift with the fire department and would not be home until morning. The baby was sick and had started vomiting. I grabbed my purse, jumped in the car, and drove in her direction quickly as we discussed the doctor’s instructions via cell phone. All would be well, I assured her. I am coming.
Two hours later, the doctor at the urgent care center informed us that Samantha was dehydrated and would need to spend the night in the hospital. I drove behind the ambulance that held my friend and her tiny treasure. All will be well, I assured her. I am staying with you.
Her three-month old was placed in a crib with bars that looked like a tiny prison. In hopes of keeping Barby from unraveling, I started talking about the 80’s — campy B-rated movies, heart-throbs with mullets, and songs with memorable lyrics. We started singing Air Supply and Pat Benatar tunes as we sat in the dark room watching the baby sleep. We sang and laughed and cried all night.
That night in the hospital room twelve years ago cemented our friendship.
We share a mutual love of chocolate, french cafes, and Beth Moore Bible studies. We torture each other by sharing dysfunctional family stories. We have staked our claim to sit in comfy spots on each other’s couches.
She makes the best french toast — and shares the recipe.
She stood beside me when I married the husband she had prayed for God to send me.
She washed my hair when I was too sick to do it myself.
She has stayed with me through many a night season.
….
Some nights my husband goes to bed early, and I stubbornly stay up. I sit on the couch with my laptop and eventually I drift off to oblivion. Usually, about 2 AM I will wake up in a stupor. I am too groggy to get up off the couch, so I sit there in the silence trying to wake up. There in the quiet I often hear her — the bird perched in the giant tree in our side yard is keeping me company. And, she is singing the sweetest tune. What kind of bird sings a song in the night?
I know now that she is a friend.
All will be well, my friend. All will be well.
A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 17:17, NLT)
Q4U: Do you have a friend who sings in the night with you? How has Christian friendship carried you through a dark season? I would love to hear your story.
I am passionate about the power of friendship and community and write about it often — Head on over here to read some more about the power of “girl time” and chocolate. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! I would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Joining like-minded sisters today at (in) courage, Thought-Provoking Thursday, Faith-Filled Friday, Tell His Story, Soli Deo Gloria, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday and Playdates with God.
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What a great way to paint the beauty of friends who hang in there, like that bird, in the middle of the night (times when a friend sings sweetly and clearly with comfort of relationship).
I have been wanting to write about that birdie for some time, but it wasn’t until this week that I finally got the inspiration. 🙂
Sweet post Lyli. Beautiful blog too! I have had an army of women walk through breast cancer with me. And it has opened doors to so many friendships that I could have never imagined. So thankful for faithful sisters who laugh, cry, love when its ugly, and pray.
Rhonda, there is a so much strength in that group of faithful sisters. What a blessing! 🙂
Aww- I loved this post Lyli! Love your thoughtfulness is choosing this story to share and paying tribute to the gift of friendship, coupled with food!
Thanks, Lori. Some stories hold a special place in your heart forever. This is one of those. 🙂
What a beautiful portrait of friendship coupled with an important reminder. Perfect for our community link up at Bloom :).
Thanks, Robin. I love the emphasis on the power of sisterhood at (in) courage. It’s a blessing to have praying friends. 🙂
Friendships like this are so very precious and such a foretaste of our fellowship in heaven.
Indeed they are — except in heaven there will be no night. 🙂
Hi Lyli! What a beautiful way you have to describe your budding friendship amid the emergency…God knows just what we need when we need it. How special you must feel, as God blessed you so wonderfully.
Great message for a Monday! Coming to you from Playdates.
Ceil
Ceil, I wrote this post after reading “Bread and Wine” by Shauna Niequist. Her book encourages you to “log in hours” of fellowship around the table so that when you do have a night season, there will be someone there to support you. I immediately thought of how true that was of our friendship.
Dear Lyli
Those friendships are sooo… rare! Treassure this gift from our Pappa’s hand and thanks for sharing her with us all.
Love to you and your dear friend XX
Mia
I am blessed to have many friends who would do anything for me. Unfortunately, I don’t rely on them as much as I should. I need to get over my self-reliance!
My husband has the spiritual gifts of giving and helping, but he has a hard time receiving as well. Thanks for being a good friend to me, Jen. Hugs
Lyli, I haven’t had a friend like this in so long, and your post today made my heart ache. This has been my prayer, spoken and unspoken, for so long. Thank you for these beautiful words today, and for so beautifully showing the power of friendship as God intended it to be.
Jessica, praying with you this morning. I am not close by, but if you need a friend to pray with, I am just an email or Skype away. Hugs
I just loved this. That is all. ♥
Nannette, you are such an encourager. 🙂
Such a gift to have a friend like this, Lyli. A beautiful gift.
We had lunch yesterday, and then last night my husband took us both out for shakes after the mid-week service. On the way home, Bruce said, “You two never run out of things to talk about.” — I hope we never do. 🙂
I love this tribute to friendship. I am blessed to have a couple close friends that can be called upon any time day or night for an emergency. They are there to laugh with as well as cry with. We even pray over the phone together when there is crisis and we can’t pray in person. You are blessed to have such friendship!
Friends like this are our treasures from God. Beautiful post. And I could unfortunately relate here: Some nights my husband goes to bed early, and I stubbornly stay up. And I have heard birds singing as early as 3:30AM. I will think of that song in a new way thanks to your post. Blessings…
Sheila, I will think of you the next time I am up at 3 AM. 🙂
Admiring the dedication you put into your website and
detailed information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Wonderful
read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.