HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?

          It is a very special privilege in life to have a friend here on earth with whom you can share your joys, your problems, your hopes and your experiences.  And if you have such a close friend you want to spend time with that person as often as you can.  And even if you are separated by many miles you find ways to share through visits, cards and letters, the internet, social media and especially the telephone.  If it is a good friend you don't let too much time pass between contacts.  Now if you've experienced such a relationship with an earthly friend, the question then  is why don't we seem to carry these same priorities over to our relationship with the Lord.  He is the one who really loves us and cares for us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  He has promised to guide us and provide for us.  What more could we want?  What a friend we have in Jesus. And yet, sadly, even though He is always with us, we often allow so much time to pass before actually spending any time with Him.  We let our burdens pile up.  Sometimes we have sleepless nights filled with worry and anxiety.  Sometimes there are difficult decisions to be made and we wrestle with them.  And often we just forget about His presence until we have exhausted all of our energy and don't know what else to do.  Then we go to Him.  And how often do we ever take time to thank Him and praise Him for His provision and presence? If we treated our earthly friends like that they might give up on us. Now the story is told that one wintry night in 1956, simple childhood prayers such as "Now I lay me down to sleep" began to fill the mind of song writer Mosie Lister. "How long has it been since some people have talked to the Lord?"  He asked himself.  "Some of us prayed in younger years, but have gotten away from that childhood faith."  He then picked up a pencil and paper and phrases began to flow nearly as fast as he could write them down.  And a tune came with them.  In about fifteen minutes this week's song choice was written.  Hopefully, if your friendship with the Lord has grown cold, the words will stir you to renew that friendship and spend your time with a "friend who stickest closer than a brother".  Talk to Him and tell Him your heart's hidden secrets.  And know that He is always there and ready to answer your prayers.  Know that you can call Him your Friend, for He cares for you.

How long has it been

Since you talked with the Lord,

And told Him your heart's hidden secrets.

How long since you prayed?

How long since you stayed on your knees

Till the light shone through?

How long has it been

Since your mind felt at ease

How long since your heart knew no burden?

Can you call Him your friend?

How long has it been

Since you knew that He cared for you?

How long has it been

Since you knelt by your bed

And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?

How long since you knew

That He'd answer you,

And would keep you the long night through?

How long has it been

Since you woke with the dawn,

And felt the day's worth the living?

Can you call Him your friend?

How long has it been

Since you knew that He cared for you?

When I was a college student, two of my close friends and I used to enjoy singing this song.  That brought back many good memories when I found this video of the Booth Brothers singing this song.  Listen to it here.   LISTEN