Man's Best Friend

We call them "man's best friend", a title earned everyday, except for the day they die, and then we are at a loss as to what to do.  They are joyous to see us, sad when we leave, easily forgive, and never judge.  They are not upset when you lose your patience, but rarely loose theirs.  They never fail to love even when they have been ignored.

I cried great big tears of grief as my wife and son and I laid our dog of sixteen to rest.  The memory of that day still produces a gnawing emptiness in the pit of my stomach.  It is a day I will never forget.

It will be a day he will never forget either.  A group of men gather together to share a time of sharing, connection, bonding. They enjoyed a meal, some prayer, and fellowship. They are a small group.  The man,  the host whose house they met at,  looked over to see his four legged friend collapse and die. Not a pleasant sight.  But this group of men gathered around him, consoled him and then they all grabbed shovels and helped him bury his dog. 

There are many bonding times a man can have - BBQ's, hunting, fishing, biking, running building cars and on and on.   Few will compare to the bondering experience these men shared on  this night.   Brothers helping a fellow brother say goodbye to his best friend.  That's what small groups do. Share. Everything.  

Proverbs 18:24

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. MSG