My friend from the neighbourhood - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 3:36

My friend from the neighbourhood
We lived on an old coal mining property in the western part of Germany, which consisted of only a few houses. There were three children in our home: my sister, my cousin and me. In the apartment building across the street lived two families, each with two sons.

I was often drawn to the boys across the street. Since two of them were older and two were younger than me, I sometimes felt like a fifth wheel. Nevertheless, we scuffled together and did a lot of things in a group. And when hunger or darkness drove us home in the evening, the dried mud from our forays through the colliery ruins often still clung to our clothes. In later years we lost contact with one other. Then something happened to me that changed my life completely: I came to know Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord.

Now, just a week before Christmas, the news has reached me that my friend from those days – one of the younger ones – was found dead in bed one morning. He had not been feeling well and had stayed in bed longer than usual over the weekend. The cause of death was believed to be a heart attack.

I would feel much better if I knew where my childhood friend will spend eternity. I can’t tell him about my faith in the Lord Jesus now – it’s too late – so my concern remains as to whether I will see him again with God in heaven.

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Today’s reading: The Song of Solomon 7:1-13 · Mark 9:30-37