A Friend Like Andy
A Friend Like Andy
One of my favorite channels is TV Land. So many of the fun shows I watched when I was young are still running there. And no show gets my attention more than the Andy Griffith Show. The simple life in Mayberry, the interesting people, the fix-it shop and the respectful children harkens back to a time of three channels of black and white television and no remote control. But the aspect of the show that keeps coming to my mind is the relationship between Sheriff Andy Taylor and his bumbling, but well-meaning, Deputy Barney Fife. Andy always looked out for Barney. He found chances for Barney to succeed, to receive accolades. He turned down plenty of opportunities when Barney was not going to be included. Andy valued the friend and the friendship more than his personal accomplishment.
I wonder if you have ever had a friend like Andy. I suppose you might never know. You see Andy never let Barney in on the whole story; leaving him blissfully unaware of the good being done for him. I wonder if you have ever been a friend like Andy.
Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Andy was not just making good television; he was modeling true Biblical friendship. Why not give it a try yourself? See you at the fishing hole!
Brian Keel is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the YMCA of Greater Toledo. He can be reached at bkeel@ymcatoledo.org and on his profile page here.
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