A big part of loving is listening.

爱包括耐心聆听。

Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. Genesis 14:18

撒冷王麦基洗德带着饼和酒出来迎接。-创世记14章18节

Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man” (“The House by the Side of the Road”). That’s what I want to be—a friend of people. I want to stand by the way, waiting for weary travelers. To look for those who have been battered and wronged by others, who carry the burden of a wounded and disillusioned heart. To nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word and send them on their way. I may not be able to “fix” them or their problems, but I can leave them with a blessing.

诗人山姆·华尔特·福斯（Sam Walter Foss）曾经写道：“我要住在道路旁，成为别人的朋友”（出自《道路旁的房子》）。成为人们的朋友，也是我心中所愿。我想站在路旁，等待疲惫的旅人，关怀那些饱受凌辱、委屈和心灵受创、沮丧忧伤的人。我要陪伴他们一程，用激励人心的言语，滋润他们的心灵，让他们重新得力。虽然我可能无法解决他们的问题，但却可以祝福他们。

Melchizedek, both the king of Salem and a priest, blessed Abram when he was returning weary from battle (Gen. 14). A “blessing” is more than a polite response to a sneeze. We bless others when we bring them to the One who is the source of blessing. Melchizedek blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (v. 19).

当亚伯兰疲惫地从战场返回的时候，麦基洗德这位撒冷王兼祭司来迎接他，并为他祝福（创世记14章）。我们对他人的祝福并不只是礼貌性的客套话，把人带到福气的源头才是真正的祝福。麦基洗德为亚伯兰祝福，说：“愿天地的主、至高的上帝赐福与亚伯兰！”（19节）

We can bless others by praying with them; we can take them with us to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). We may not be able to change their circumstances, but we can show them God. That’s what a true friend does.

我们可以与他人一同祷告使他们得福；也可以将他们带到上帝施恩的宝座前，让他们得着随时的帮助（希伯来书4章16节） 。我们可能无法改变他们的困境，但可以引领他们来到上帝面前。这是真正的朋友所当做的。

Jesus, teach us to be a friend of people as You are with us. Give us eyes to see others and their needs and to take the time to listen. Help us to take them to You, the source of life.

 亲爱的耶稣，愿我像祢成为别人真正的朋友。

开我的眼看见别人的需要，愿意聆听对方的心声。
祢是生命的源头，帮助我把人带到祢面前。

Genesis 14:17-24New International Version (NIV)

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

整理：于姊妹