The Power of Salt: Part Three

I was standing alone in the boys bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror and unable to recognize who I was. Ten minutes earlier I had slipped on the ice outside and smacked my head on the frozen basketball court.

I did know that recess was nearly over, and I knew that I had to get back to class, but I had no clue where my classroom was. I splashed some water on my face, trying to snap out of the brain fog.

Outside the bathroom, I heard a ton of kids walking past the door. I walked to the door, opened it, and found my fifth-grade classmates walking back to the classroom. I knew faces, but didn’t know names. I only knew one persons name, my friend Christian. I cut into line right next to him.

“I’m messed up, you have to help me.” I was too nervous to go the office. I grew up in a household where I was yelled at for everything. If I got hurt, I got in trouble. I didn’t want my Dad to yell at me for getting hurt, even if it was only an accident.

Christian looked at me. He could tell I was serious. He told me names, including my own. We got back to the classroom and he discreetly showed me where my desk was. Thankfully, it was a Friday and the teacher was showing a movie that afternoon. I sat there in the dark, slowly recalling names and thinking through everything I could remember. Christian was watching me closely, his face full of concern.

After school, I rode the bus to Christian’s house to stay the night. By then I could see straight and remember most things, but I had an awful headache. Christian told his Mom that I hit my head and was knocked out, and she really got concerned. I convinced her I was fine and only had a small headache. Again, I didn’t want to get in trouble with my Dad.

The Lord reminded me recently that during that perilous time, there was a standout friend who looked out for me and helped me. It’s no coincidence that his name is “Christian”. In times of adversity, a Christian friend loves you through it.

I’ve never sprinkled salt on my icy driveway and said, “Well, I sure hope this works and melts the ice.” I’m absolutely convinced that it will, and it always does. That’s the power of salt, it’s a reliable agent when life gets slippery…just like a good Christian friend.

My friend, are you a Christian who is born for adversity and quick to come alongside your friends? May we be faithful, salty, Christian friends who shine the lovely light of Christ when it’s needed most.

P.S. If you have a good Christian friend, cherish them and let them know you appreciate them.