Recently, the song, “Friends” by Whodini has been playing a loop in my mind (at least the hook anyway)…
Friends- how many of us have them?
Friends- ones we can depend on
Friends- how many of us have them?
Friends- before we go any further, let’s be
Friends.
The song came to mind after I witnessed an interesting conversation between two four-year-olds.
The conversation went something like this-
Alex: “Hi, my name is Alex, and I'm almost five. What’s your name?”
Abigail: “Abigail and I am four years old."
Alex: “Oh, how many friends do you have?”
Abigail: “Umm, I don’t have any friends.”
(Now, I need to clarify that Abigail just moved
to a new town and hadn't had a chance to make new friends yet.”)
Regardless, it was a bittersweet exchange and drove home the point that we fundamentally want friendship. No matter our age.
The problem is we believe the lie from an early stage that to have value you need a bunch of friends. That popularity equals acceptance and importance. It means you are loved.
NOT TRUE.
First truth: God gives us our value.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. ~Zephaniah 3:17
Second truth: It is the quality of friendship that you have that matters, not the quantity.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24
It is undeniable that we were made to crave friendship and the Bible confirms its importance:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The best example is found in Jesus’ sacrificial friendship, John 15:12-14 says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Real friends are not easy to find. In fact, sometimes you have to look for them! But in the process, don’t discount the non-traditional- the elderly neighbor, parents of adult children, spouses, and siblings, even your hairdresser!
Friendship can reside in many forms.
Also, don’t be discouraged when seasons of life change and those that you thought were friends fade into obscurity. Trust me; friends will come and go in your life.
Believe that God will always provide just what you need in the right time!
There will be people in your life that will stand by you through thick and thin, regardless of season, distance, or circumstance; they are the rare gems that are sent by God to lift you up and walk with you through this life.
When you find them TREASURE their friendship.
For, it is a divine gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted!
Father, we thank you for the gift of companionship. May we see our friends as a gift from you and never take them for granted. Help us, Lord, to be a good friend to others and to always value the importance of friendship. For those that are lonely and doubt true friendship, grant them comfort and peace and send them a true companion to do life with!
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~ Proverbs 12:26