Read Proverbs 17:17

A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17

A special joy binds two friends who are not reluctant to risk danger on each other’s behalf. If a true friend finds you’re in need, he or she will find a way to help. Nor will a friend ever ask, “How great is the risk?” The question is always, “When do you need me?” Not even the threat of death holds back a friend.

This reminds me of the six-year-old girl who became deathly ill with a dreadful disease. To survive, she needed a blood transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the same illness. The situation was complicated by her rare blood type. Her nine-year-old brother qualified as a donor, but everyone was hesitant to ask him since he was just a lad. Finally, they agreed to have the doctor pose the question.

The attending physician tactfully asked the boy if he was willing to be brave and donate blood for his sister. Though he didn’t understand much about such things, the boy agreed without hesitation: “Sure, I’ll give my blood for my sister.”

He lay down beside his sister and smiled at her as they pricked his arm with the needle. Then he closed his eyes and lay silently on the bed as the pint of blood was taken.

Soon thereafter, the physician came in to thank the little fellow. The boy, with quivering lips and tears running down his cheeks asked, “Doctor, when do I die?” At that moment the doctor realized that the naïve little boy thought that, by giving his blood, he was giving up his life. Quickly, he reassured the lad that he was not going to die but, amazed at his courage, the doctor asked, “Why were you willing to risk your life for her?”

“Because she’s my sister...and I love her,” was the boy’s simple but significant reply.

Danger and risk don’t threaten true friendship, they strengthen it. Such friends are modern-day members of the parabolani, that reckless band of friends—riskers and gamblers, all—who love their brothers and sisters to the uttermost. Each one deserves our respect. When we need them, they are there. I have a few in that category. Hopefully, you do too.

Taken from The Owner’s Manual for Christians by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com