Not all friends are created equal. There are BFFs—Best Friends Forever. They populate your social media followers; they top your A-list of party invites—fun, popular, and familiar. Then there are BYFFs—Beyond Friends Forever. These are the friends you want when life is not-so-much a party, like Mrs. Catherine’s friends. Here is her story excerpted from “Good Vibes” from Quora—one of my favorite good news websites.
Seventy-year-old Mrs. Catherine, after brushing her teeth, retired for the night only to returned to a bed engulfed in flames. The house quickly filled with smoke; she became disoriented. Mrs. “C” walked into the closet several times thinking it was the door that led to the hallway and out to the front door. It didn’t. She couldn’t find her way out. She was stuck. Then, entered into the picture, some “Beyond Friend” friends: Dylan Wick, 16-years-old; Nick Byrd, 14-years-old; Seth Byrd, 16-years-old; and Wyatt Hall, 17-years-old.
These neighborhood boys spotted the smoke and jumped into action. One broke the front door glass; one called 911. One went to the back door and kicked it in. One went to the neighbors for an ax and help. They found Mrs. Catherine outside of her bedroom, and carried her to safety thanks to four BYFF’s—Beyond Friends Forever.
David had such a friend—Jonathan who went beyond the call of BFFs to protect a friend in danger. Here is the back story of their surprising, unconventional, vital relationship.
Jonathan was King Saul’s son, but was more loyal to David, his father’s rival. A jealous Saul wanted to kill David, but Jonathan would defend his forever-covenant friend (1 Sam. 20:14–17, 42). 17And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.
At a royal dinner David was expected to attend, Saul set a trap to kill him. But Jonathan arranged a signal to warn David who was hiding in a nearby field that trouble was ahead.
22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, because the Lord has sent you away. 23 As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever. 1 Sam.20:22-23
Aware of his father’s ill-intent toward David that night, Jonathan commanded his young archer-servant to sail an arrow beyond David. He then escaped danger thanks to his BYFF—Beyond Friend Forever—Jonathan.
What can we learn from this act of true friendship?
A “BYFF” will say and do anything to protect a friend from harm, even if it means risking a friendship.
A “BYFF” will give you a sign that trouble is ahead: a bad relationship, a troubling habit, an unfruitful attitude.
A “BYFF” may not come from the same strata, collection or conventional pool of people normally associated with the popular, powerful or preferred.
When you see the signs of trouble ahead for a friend, be a true friend. Go beyond being a social media BFF. Kick in the door; grab the axe; call for help; seek alternative options. Go beyond. The beyond friend you are is the beyond friend you attract in your life. It can make all the difference when life is not a party, whe the roof is on fire. Ask Mrs. Catherine.
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