It has shocked everyone to hear about elderly people dying in their flats in recent times without anyone knowing about it for a long time. Those people lacked a caring family, a close friend or neighbour who could notice they were missing. How sad it is that with all our progress, technology and modern life, people can die in a big city all alone without friends.

Golf also can be a lonely game because it is an individual game. At the end of the day you are the only one responsible for your score. One of the main reasons I continue to be involved on the Australian Tour as a chaplain was a comment a player made to me one day:  “It can get very lonely out here on the Tour”

There are many golfers who only like to play individual games, but I also like 4 ball games, foursomes, ambrose, pennants, where you play as a team. It can be harder when you let your mate down in a team game but like all of life, everything we do can have a good and a hard side.

Our reading today has various saying on the value of having friends and the difficulties of being on your own. To have friends to work with; to have someone to celebrate with; someone to pick you up when you fall; someone to help keep you warm; someone to help protect you in danger and the strength of 3 cords are preferred to being on your own.

There have been many times in my life when I have been lonely. I have felt alone in ministry, in marriage, in life, isolated from God, in fact when I think about it, in every part of my life. It is most likely the case for each of us. But most of us have also seen the benefit of having family and friends.

All our relationships are worth nurturing, but especially with those who are getting older in life. When we are young we tend to busy ourselves with all kinds of chasing after the wind as our author describes it; with work, leisure and hobbies.  But spare a thought for those who are getting older in our family, our neighbourhood and on the golf course. By being a friend you can make a difference and maybe also share with them our best friend; Jesus who promises to be with us wherever we are.

Gracious God, Thank you that we are never alone because you are always with us. We pray that you will help us to be on the lookout for the lonely and to be their friend. Amen.