January 6, 2026
Have ya ever seen the 80’s classic, “Better Off Dead?” Oh my goodness, if you haven’t, you MUST! It’s totally a bodacious 80’s classic comedy; it’s so funny, it’s sure even to make the most stone-faced curmudgeon laugh. Anyway… there was this one scene that, well, in order to appreciate the title of today’s post, you gotta see it. (Best yet, just watch the whole movie). Anywho, here’s a link:
In Better Off Dead, neighbors from across the street, (Lane and Monique) became good friends, amid their crazy-chaotic lives filled with teenage drama indicative of the 80’s. They became “friends” in the truest sense, in many ways that our oldest of definitions define.
The 10th Edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines “FRIEND” like this: friend \ˈfrend\ noun — [Middle English frend, from Old English frēond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frēon to love, frēo free] (before 12th century)
1 a: one attached to another by affection or esteem, or b: acquaintance
2a: one that is not hostile; or b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4 : a favored companion
Lane and Monique develop and affection for one another (that in their case, becomes the “Old English frēon to love.”). Moreso, their friendship grows because of their party to being “friendly” to one another as those who are not in the “in group” with the cool kids in school; and building upon those, they become favored companions of one another. Anyway, ya just gotta see the movie to see what I mean. (Mind you, there’s a bit of language and sexual inuendo, but it’s fairly harmless, especially in this day and age).
Okay, let’s take all this out of the realm of Hollywood and make it real. True friendship embodies many of these qualities, wouldn’t you agree? Certainly, I’d say my wife is my best friend. I hope all spouses will be that. But outside marriage (and family), friendship can come on many levels, from good acquaintances to life-long, childhood BFF’s that last until the last breath.
Today, a friend of mine showed up in the most innocent and loving of ways, and she didn’t even know she did it. She cared enough to ask: “How’d your Day 1 on Keto go?” I have many friends in my life, but not all of them care enough to care how I’m doing. That level of caring comes from a heart of love—not a romantic kind of love, but a biblical form of love that pleases the Lord, (the form of love the disciples had for our Lord.)
For much of the day, honestly, I was stumped about what to write about, but as my afternoon went on, the more I appreciated Stacy’s question (in passing). Stacy cared, and for that, I am thankful. Not that everything is all about me; it’s not. To be honest, Stacy friendly question speaks volumes about her faith. She exhibited what our Savior called, “the greater love.”
Jesus said this on the night in which he was betrayed:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Today, I thought it important to give a shoutout to my friend, but more importantly to thank our Lord and Savior for giving us friends who care enough to care. I hope and pray you all have at least one friend like that.