MILTON MONDAY: I LOST A GREAT FRIEND THIS WEEK

By Milton Dykes

True friends are not easy to come by. I lost one of my best friends this week. His name is Hubert Wilder. I knew him as a neighboring pastor, denominational official, preacher, administrator, leader, teacher, and, in many other spiritual and meaningful capacities. However, the relationship I enjoyed with him the most was as a friend.

He was my friend—plain and simple.

A friend is one who comes in when others go out. A friend will listen and not judge. A friend will speak the truth in love. A friend is someone who will be there no matter what. A friend is a pal, a buddy, a comrade. A friend is a helper, supporter, a companion. Jesus put it this way: “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Hubert often called and asked, “How are you doing pal?” or “Hey partner, what’s happening?” or “Hey friend, let’s get a cup of coffee.” And then we’d get together and talk shop or discuss family, church, preaching, and a lot of other stuff. We drank a lot of coffee and made lots of trips—ministry trips and fun trips. We traveled thousands of miles together. We had a good time.

Hubert was a friend to many people. God only knows how many times he “laid it on the line” for others. I watched him many times stick his neck out to help someone through a rough spot. That is what friends do—they are there when the chips are down and help pull you up.

Hubert is in heaven now. He has won the prize. He is with Jesus and that is all that matters. It is just sad that I have lost a friend—not forever mind you. I’ll see him again one day.

I’ll try to be a better friend to others because of Hubert Wilder. Maybe you can too.

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These pictures were taken in the Virgin Islands. The bottom picture is of Hubert and his wife Sherry with a pastor's daughter from the British Virgin Islands.