Breakfast at Banning's

Herb and Craig began meeting for breakfast in Tigard, Oregon, in 1992, weekly on Tuesdays.  Later, they shifted their meetings to Friday mornings. Other friends have joined them periodically over the years, but it is these two men who have met together for 33 years and counting. It takes incredible commitment, faithfulness, love, and enjoyment to maintain such a longstanding tradition. Very rarely do friends have such a sustained track record.

Herb will retire soon from practicing law. Craig operates as a brand consultant, business professor, and professional drummer. Of the two men, he travels the most. Spending an unhurried morning with them at Banning’s was a delightful experience, watching the power of blessing unfold as iron brothers sharpen each other and dispense wisdom to fortunate participants like me.  They have heard each other’s stories multiple times, yet neither was impatient while I listened for the first time. It was apparent they enjoyed each other’s company.
 
Meditation
Psalm 133:1--How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
 
When I asked Herb and Craig what benefits they reaped from so many decades of harmonious fellowship, five observations stood out: 

• Their experiences can be mutually beneficial. Herb shared how, when he faced parenting challenges, he was better equipped as a father because he had watched Craig handle similar problems years before.  
• God has a purpose for each life phase, and it is easier to discover that purpose with someone who knows you well, cares deeply, and is not afraid to speak into your life.
• They need each other. One man who is linear in thinking benefits from the other who is very creative, and vice versa.
• God uses the discussions and wrestling they had over challenges or problems in the past to manifest later as solutions.
• Trust and intimacy deepen and blossom, the fruit of faithfully meeting together.

            
Herb brought the book My Utmost for His Highest to our breakfast to share with Craig a profound thought from Oswald Chambers.  Both daily read that devotional and it provides a source besides the Bible for spiritual sharpening. This underscored the value of their time together and that their fellowship has a purpose to it. I suspect the reason many people quit meeting together is that they lose sight of the “why” they meet, and their fellowship devolves into time that no longer seems beneficial.  
            
​As Herb noted, others can do what he and Craig do.  It’s not too late to find a friend and commit to faithfully meeting. It takes intentionality.  It is good and it is pleasant when brothers meet; “For there the Lord has appointed the blessing—life forevermore”
(vs 3b).
 
Inspiration
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten . . . the words.”—Author Unknown
 
©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)