Friendship
By Nancy Funke
Just the other day I was thinking about one of my favorite Bible verses and was curious about how rope was made. Thanks to Google I was able to find my answer. I’d like to share that with you here:
Any of the following materials may be used to make rope: binder twine, bailer twine, plastic twine, jute twine, yarn, string, or plastic bags. Just about any material that is made up of long flexible strands or that can be cut into strands can be used to make rope. However, only twines of proven strength should be used to make rope that will be expected to carry a load or lash a structure.
TYPE OF ROPE:
The type of rope that is explained in this book is three strand laid rope. This type of rope is made by twisting three strands of fiber in one direction and then laying the three strands together by allowing the strands to twist together in the opposite direction.
The twisting and laying can be done by hand but this takes a long time. To speed up the operation a machine is needed.
A rope machine consists of two devices; one that twists the three strands, the twisting end; and one that is used to lay the twisted strands together, the laying end.
After the two ends of the rope machine are positioned, tie the end of the twine to the laying end hook. Then hook the twine over one of the hooks on the twisting end, then back to the laying end hook. Continue back and forth until each of the three hooks on the twisting end have two lengths of twine on it. Be careful to keep the tension equal on all lengths of twine.
After the machine is set up, turn the cranks on the twisting end so that the cranks are turning clockwise as you are looking at the crank handles. It is a good idea to mark this direction on the frame of the machine.
Twist the strands until they become firm and resist further twisting. If the strands are not twisted tight enough, the rope will be loose. On the other hand if you twist the strands too tight the strands will kink. Kinked or loose strands will weaken the rope. Experience will teach you when the amount of twist is just right.
As I read how the rope is made, I began thinking about friendships and how they are made. At the beginning it says that different materials can be used. We each have different friendships. They range from the casual to the ones with which you can share your heart and soul and not worry. A lot of times our friendships start out to be of the casual type and grow into the twines of proven strength that can be expected to carry a load or lash a structure. Those friendships have been twisted by the tension of time with the cranks being turned ever so carefully as you don’t want to lose or hurt that friendship.
I also headed to my favorite Webster’s College Dictionary to find the actual definition of two words that I cherish:
Friend = person whom one knows well and is fond of; an ally, supporter, partner.
Friendship = affection, closeness, attachment, fellowship, love.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. “ (emphasis mine)
The threefold cord, like friendship, is like a rope. If made properly it cannot be quickly broken.
I’m currently going thru a Bible study in the book of Daniel. Tonight we discussed “loyalty”. The background is this: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found themselves in a pretty precarious position. They had to either bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol or be fried in a furnace so hot that it cooked the guards that were going to throw the 3 men in. In Daniel 3:16 in response to the King’s question of their loyalty to him, together they responded…”O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.” Here are 3 young men who are standing together, loyal not only to their God but to each other.
Another example of friendship is David and Solomon. Solomon was the son of King Saul who turned against David. David did nothing to warrant the king’s anger but Solomon provided for his friend and was there for his friend every step of the way.
Friendship is a precious wonderful gift. I have one girlfriend that I have known for over 25 years. Oh the wonderful things we shared. She taught me racquetball, I was her catcher in our church softball league for several years, she taught me how to really love the Lord and to learn more about Him; she taught me how to forgive, how to enjoy life as a single mother, how to make biscuits and sausage gravy, how to love the unlovely, how to hang in there when the hanging wasn’t easy. She was there for me during and after my divorce. I was with her as the affects of diabetes overtook her mother. She was my matron of honor at my second wedding.
My list of close intimate girlfriends has increased a bit. Each one of them is very unique in their own way. All love the Lord with all they have. Oh we can sit and talk about all kinds of fun and crazy things but when it comes to those troublesome times well - some like to sit and talk their problems out. Some kind of hold it in until you look at them in a caring way. At that point they feel safe and out it comes. Another friend holds it all in until there is no holding room left. What does she do when there isn’t any room left? She finds the room. She’ll find a little crack or crevice to bury her thoughts, her hurts. She’ll bury herself in her work and activities. She’s a lot like me. You see, we both have been hurt a lot in the past in many different ways. And it takes a lot to be able to open up and trust again. You travel so far down Trust Avenue when all of a sudden you come across a small barrier in the road. You don’t know if it’s safe to go around the barrier or just turn around and go back to where you were. Then you struggle with going down that Avenue again.
What does she do to get me to share my hurts or troubles? She literally drags it out of me. A simple answer doesn’t work. She’s one that likes the whole story and nothing but the whole story. We’ll either go to a restaurant or grab an ice cream and sit in a park or drive. And I can’t leave her car until we’re finished - tears, prayer, and all.
Both of those ladies are clear examples of Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.” (NASB) In other words, they are there for the best of times, as well as the worst of times. They are willing to tell me the hard truth, listen to my heart and vice versa. I am so grateful for my “rope”.
“I will gladly share with you your pain,
If it turns out I can no comfort bring;
For ‘tis a friends right,
Please let me explain,
To share in woeful as in joyful things.”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Copyright © May, 2007 – Nancy Funke. All rights reserved.
Back to Articles Main Page : : : : Back to Articles Sorted By Writer : : : : Back to Articles Sorted by Title
|
