Ryan sat on the front steps of his house petting Lady his dog, thinking sadly of how she was the only friend he had. Since moving from the city, he had never really made friends with any of the boys at school. It was then that he noticed some boys about his age running down the street.
In a few minutes a boy he recognized, named Kevin, came running by. Seeing Ryan sitting on the steps, he stopped and called, “Hi, Ryan. How come you're staying at home on a day off school?”
Ryan didn't answer, but he did walk down to where Kevin was standing. Boy, I'd sure like to have him for a friend, Ryan thought. Kevin was smart and popular.
“Why don't you come with us? Scott, Chuck, Todd and me are goin' out to Cairn Creek. It'll be fun.”
“Wait and I'll ask my mom,” he answered excitedly. Ryan was overjoyed when she said, “Yes.” Then she added, “Ryan, I know that you want to make friends here, but don't forget you have a `Friend that sticketh closer than a brother' (Proverbs 18:2424A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)). Don't do anything that would not please Him.”
Kevin and Ryan had to hurry to catch up to the others, who seemed a little surprised to see Ryan. But since he came with Kevin, they did not say anything.
The morning passed quickly because they were having fun. About lunchtime Scott said, “Hey, you guys, it's time to make that raid for our lunch.”
“Let's send Ryan,” said Chuck. They all liked that idea, so Ryan was told to go to Mr. Wilson's orchard and pick ten apples.
Ryan asked, “Hey, did he say we could have the apples?”
“How could he when he doesn't even know?” laughed Chuck.
“Do you think old Wilson would give anything away?” sneered Todd. “Just go and pick them.”
“Not me,” said Ryan firmly.
“Don't be afraid. We'll be your lookouts,” said Scott.
Ryan was silent for a moment. He belonged to the Lord Jesus and knew that stealing was wrong, and yet he did want friends. But Jesus was the best Friend he could ever have, and so he silently prayed, “Lord Jesus, help me.”
“I'm not goin',” he said flatly. “That's stealing, and I'm not stealing for anyone. I belong to Jesus.”
“Aw, c'mon,” said Kevin, “he'll never miss a few apples.”
Ryan shook his head. “Those apples don't belong to us. If we take some, it's stealing—just like stealing money. I wouldn't take Mr. Wilson's money, would you?”
Ryan turned and headed back to the road. He felt sad at losing his new friends, but then he thought of Jesus, the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” The Lord Jesus wouldn't leave him!
He hadn't reached the road when he heard someone running up behind him. “Hey, Ry, wait up.” It was Kevin calling him.
“Ry, what you say is right,” he puffed. “I never thought about it like that. It didn't seem wrong to take apples, but I know it's not right to steal!”
Kevin and Ryan became good friends. But better than that, Kevin soon learned about Jesus and His love and accepted Him as his Saviour. After that, the two boys helped each other to do what was right and pleasing to the Lord Jesus.
How happy the Lord must have been to see this loyalty in His young believer! And what a reward Ryan got in winning Kevin, not only as his friend, but also to the Lord Jesus.
ML-12/14/2008