My favorite Christian song cannot be found in any hymnal or other book of church songs; it was written by Carole King in the early 1970s. It’s title, you ask? “You’ve Got a Friend.” The why is a long story, but I think I can shorten it for you.
I was 17 or 18. A few years previously, my mom and step-father had become Seventh-day Adventists, but I was “on the fence” still. I believed what I had learned at the Bible studies they dragged us to (since the evidence is overwhelming), but I still wanted my “fun.”
A few friends of mine were going up into the mountains to watch a storm, and asked if I wanted to come. Of course I did, so I parked my car at he Mighty Mart, and hopped in the truck. I don’t remember much about my time with them (it was ages ago, after all), but I remember quite a bit about the events after getting back to my car.
After we said our goodbyes at the Mighty Mart, my friends took off. Shortly after going to my car, I realized my keys were still in the truck! There was no way to get ahold of them, and I had no way to start the car…or worse yet, to open the door!
So being the kind of Christian I was, I prayed.
But I didn’t ask for a miracle, I just wanted help. I waited a little while, but started trudging up the hill to Main Street. My spare keys were 5 miles south of town, so I figured it would be a long walk…especially since I was on the north side of town. It had begun to get dark, but it was a warm summer evening so I wasn’t too concerned. Plus it often was still light at 10:00 then.
I started humming as I just kept trudging up the little hill. Soon the song, “You’ve Got a Friend” came to my mind, and I began singing it. I soon started imagining Christ was singing it to me. (MY idea? I doubt it.)
When I got to the top of the road, where Main Street was, I saw my roommate’s car at the Mini Mart store that was a block or two away! He hardly ever went there! I quickened my step and got there just as he was coming out! He drove me home to get my spare keys, and even drove me back to town to get my car!
I wish I could say I followed my Lord Jesus closer after then, but sadly, no. It took a few more years. But His being so-o-o faithful has never left my mind!
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (NKJV)
* Real Life