A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner’s seat
Nor hurl the cynic’s ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.
Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish – so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat,
Or hurl the cynic’s ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
“House by the Side of the Road” by Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911).
My mom’s heart condition (atrial fibrillation) has persisted for about a month and a half. While it appears stable, she has an important doctor’s appointment on Friday to determine next steps for treatment. I appreciate your prayers for her. It has been good to be with her and dad this week in Florida.
I depart on Thursday, but in the meantime I asked my mom to share some of her favorite poems and she shared this one. It’s a powerful picture of humility and generosity, of grace, kindness, and hope. It touched me deeply so I pray it inspires you to be a friend to others each day. I hope it blesses you.
We are living in hard times: war, inflation, pandemic, and so many more challenges. These cause many of us, myself included, to feel alone, faint with the strife, wearisome, and embattled by cynics and scorners. So what should we do to love others generously.
Mom says, go be a friend to man.