Walking Through Someone Else's Fire

About three years ago, I met a lady at church who was just beginning to walk in a fire. She lost her home, business, so-called friends and on top of it, her health was not good, her family was at odds, her dog disappeared (yet, the Lord had mercy and the dog was found), her faith was tested. I decided that the good Christian thing to do would be to take her for coffee. First thing out of her mouth was "I can't afford it"...I said , let me take care of it. My gosh, it's just a cup of coffee, I thought to myself. I had no intention of befriending this woman because I didn't feel we 'clicked' if you know what I mean. But soon, one coffee led to another, then as she shared all her fears all I could do was pray. She had some bitterness, but not a lot especially how this could happen when they had worked so hard. It wasn't until years later she told me how they started trusting in things and little on God. How many times have I done that...through these years we went on camping trips, luncheons, long walks, moves, and my least favorite "American Idol" haha, but it was fun. I had no idea that down the road my heart was going to be broken...that an alliance was going to be crushed my money gone like overnight (and God had mercy and another friend fed me) and that my marriage was going to be dissolved. She was there, even at the court. She was also there when I threw caution to the wind and did stupid things and she never judged me. She just loved me through it. And it wasn't long that I was able to forgive, move on and get back closer to God than ever. I see this in her too. Now I realize that it wasn't me walking through her fire with her alone, but Jesus was there. And He had her walk through my fire with me. That's what we should do. Who of us know what each day will bring? If I were you, I'd try to make some good Godly praying friends. For without them, life as we know it would be much tougher. A friend at times can stick closer than a brother.