Tag: companionship

Seeking A Pig, Finding A Wife

Brent Pollard

It wasn’t a fairytale romance but rather a practical one. William Henderson Sheffield had tragically lost his beloved young wife to the cruel grasp of death. Like numerous individuals in his predicament during the late nineteenth century, he pursued a swift substitute. Even so, William’s initial intention was to purchase a pig. Sheffield found himself at the doorstep of Edmund Learwood Nerren due to this intended purchase. I don’t know if the two men had any prior business dealings. Still, when William discovered that Edmund didn’t have a pig to sell, he asked if Edmund knew any respectable Christian women available for courtship. Edmund responded, mentioning that he had a daughter. Even though this daughter, Lucy, was sixteen years younger than William, the two eventually married. William and Lucy had five daughters, one of whom was my grandmother, Ida Isabelle.

My great-grandfather proves illustrative for Luke 11.9–13 that one should ask, seek, and knock. Consider these points with me.

Persistently Asking for What You Desire

William Sheffield’s story exemplifies the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams. Despite his initial intention to buy a pig, William didn’t let the failure discourage him. Instead, he fearlessly inquired about a wife, a far more critical pursuit. Similarly, in Luke 11.9, Jesus urges us to “ask, seek, and knock.” Through his unwavering determination, William was rewarded with the fortuitous discovery of a life partner, perfectly aligned with the biblical idea that those who seek shall find.

Unexpected Blessings Beyond Your Requests

William embarked on a mission to obtain a simple item—a pig. However, providence had more excellent plans for him. Instead of just a pig, he gained a loving wife and a whole new family. This substitution illustrates how God often surpasses our expectations when we sincerely ask, seek, and persevere. The passage conveys the message of God’s abundant benevolence and His sincere intention to bestow blessings upon us, like a caring father showering his children with precious gifts. William’s life underwent a profound transformation, shifting from a simple transaction to creating a new family. This change stands as a powerful testament to the abundant blessings that God can bestow upon us, exceeding even our wildest expectations.

God’s Benevolence in Providing Blessings

The latter portion of Luke 11.13 emphasizes that if earthly fathers can give good gifts to their children, how much more will the heavenly Father generously provide the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him earnestly? William’s experience illustrates how we can see God’s kindness in the gift of a new wife and family after losing his first wife. It serves as a reminder that divine providence can meet our most urgent needs. Even amid hardship and sadness, God’s blessings come at the perfect time and are always beneficial, just like how He brought Lucy into William’s life.

Surprising Paths to Divine Blessings

William’s journey began with a simple and practical need, but it led him to an unexpected path that ended in marriage and a family. It is incredible to observe how God’s answers to our prayers can often come in unforeseen ways. Just like William’s original request, which resulted in a much bigger blessing, God can answer our prayers in ways beyond our expectations or understanding.

I’m unsure what inspired my great-grandfather to approach a stranger and inquire about a potential spouse, but I’m grateful he did. My great-grandfather’s story reminds me of Jesus’ parable of “The Unjust Judge” from Luke 18. Jesus concludes the parable by questioning whether there will be individuals who possess the unwavering faith to engage in prayer upon His return. Consider what God may want to do but doesn’t because you fail to ask. Ask, seek, and knock.

Marks Of True Friendship

Henry Adams wrote, “One friend in a lifetime is much, two are many, and three are hardly possible.” While I do not share his pessimism or cynicism, I do believe that true, close friends are certainly not prevalent. There are too many factors at play. Friendships take time, trust, and transparency. Some things can be barriers to developing close companionship from contrasting values to clashing viewpoints.

The Bible gives insight into factors essential to building true, lasting friendships. Since God made man, He knows what makes us tick and operate at our optimism levels. Here are four quick principles:

A Friend Loves At All Times (Proverbs 17:17).

Solomon does not suggest blind loyalty or blanket endorsement. Scripture does not encourage fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11), but it also points out that we all struggle with sin problems (Rom. 3:23). We also are prone to weak moments and we go through trials and reverses of fortune. It is a blessing to know we have people we can count on to be there even when we’re not at our best or enjoying our mountaintop moments (Heb. 12:12-13; Rom. 12:15).

For The Despairing Man, There Should Be Kindness From His Friend (Job 6:14).

For every one we exchange superficial greetings with, even as we are carrying our hidden cares, we need true friends to turn to for help when we face deep needs in our hours of trial. Rare is the friend who knows, sympathizes, and is ready to help with a kind word or deed. You can imagine how Job’s friends added to his despair by failing to offer that when he needed it most. So many things bring despair–job loss, family crisis, financial reverse, health issues, and other life changes. It is then that astute acts of kindness make a lasting impact and forge true friendships.

If They Fall, One Will Lift Up His Fellow (Ecc. 4:10).

Solomon does not specify whether the falling is physical, emotional, or spiritual. No matter what makes us fall, it is the trustworthy response of a friend that he focuses on. How tragic not to have someone in our lives with a ready hand when we are sinking! What if we are falling away from God (Jas. 5:19-20)? What if we are losing faith or overwhelmed (Mat. 14:30)? “The Lord sustains all who fall” (Ps. 145:14), and what a blessing when He does so through a faithful friend!

Faithful Are The Wounds Of A Friend (Prov. 27:6).

We need people in our lives who are more than “yes” men and women. True friends care enough to correct if we are going off course. We need those who don’t just rubber stamp our speech, validate our every action, or automatically take our side. None of that helps us refine our character or makes us fit for the Master’s use. It’s not easy to tell someone we like and care about that they’ve fallen short in some way, but having a friend that deep and genuine is a true blessing in life.

These passages challenge me to ask, “What kind of friend am I to others?” Am I deeper than a fellow sport’s fan, a person with common interests, or even a co-member of the church? Can I be counted on to be there in the valleys as well as the mountaintop days? Can I be trusted with kindness on despairing days? Am I a lifter? Do I have the courage even to say the difficult things in difficult moments? I want to be that kind of friend to my friends!

Some of our dearest friends, whom we were blessed to see this past weekend.

Even When You’re Alone, You’re Not

Neal Pollard

If I have a favorite chapter of the Bible, it would have to be 2 Timothy 4.  Yes, I love the first eight verses, but that alone is not what cinches this chapter as dearest to me.  It’s Paul’s personal remarks starting in verse nine.  There’s his longing to see his spiritual son, Timothy.  Twice he implores Timothy to come see him (9, 21).  He’s in prison, persecuted for preaching the Prince of Peace. He longs for Christian companionship.  Then, he shares his dejection over the abandonment of certain fellow-workers (10). He wants to see cohorts with whom he has done spiritual battle (11). He has personal needs and wants (13). He warns Timothy of a spiritual troublemaker (14-15).  Then, he shares personal feelings of isolation and loneliness, a time when he needed a Christian brother by his side but had none (16).  Bold, risk-taking Paul, who would stand up to any opposition, the epitome of true manliness, was now in undoubtedly dire, dank conditions, the smell of squalor in the air.  Whatever he saw, heard, and felt as he wrote, Paul scratched out these words: “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (16-18).  These words aren’t the end of the letter, but they are the end of the matter!

This faithful Christian was deserted by men, but he felt God’s presence and power:

  • The Lord stood with him.
  • The Lord strengthened him.
  • The Lord spoke through him.
  • The Lord saved him.
  • The Lord was steering him.

You and I cannot fathom the price Paul paid for proclaiming Jesus. But even if we were ever to face privation, punishment and pain for our faith, what was true for this apostle will be true of us.  He promised to be with us always (Mat. 28:20) and never forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Even if you ever feel physically alone, you will have the spiritual assistance Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 4.  Through it all, you can say with Paul, “To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!”

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