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All the best stories are about friends. Have you noticed that? Harry Potter made readers out of about a zillion kids who claimed to hate books. We can argue about great writing. (Her adult book didn’t do so well.) Or about the bewitchery of evil forces. (I’m not opening that wormy can today.) But the truth is, these books are about friendships. Relationships. And finding purpose together. (Again, I’m not recommending or condemning these books. I’m just saying.)

Think about your favorite book or movie. Isn’t friendship at the center of it? Does’t every story include a hero and a sidekick?

It that is true in the arts, certainly it is true in life. Surely we can all find a way to become the world’s best sidekick for someone. Maybe we can develop the faithfulness of Frodo’s friend, Sam. “‘Don’t you leave him Samwise Gamgee.’ And I don’t mean to.” (Lord of the Rings)

Or the kindness of Melanie Wilkes to Scartlett O’hara: “You’re so smart–so brave–always been so good to me–” (Gone With the Wind)

Or the bravery of Jonathan’s armor bearer: “Do all that is in your heart. I am with you. (The Bible, First Samuel 14)

Or the love of Mary Magdelene: “Tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” (The Bible, John 20)

Maybe we were are all meant to be great sidekicks in the world. Let’s look around and find some heroes.