Friend

So, this week I have been struggling with what to blog about. I will be honest, I have had a lot of new things happen recently that have kept me busy. I have been asking myself, well, what Christian principle am I learning through all this? Last week’s blog was definitely motivated by the changes that are occurring in my family’s lives. Yet, this week, I had writer’s block until one of my closest friends gave me an idea.

My children left this week on their first unaccompanied plane flight to visit friends in another state. It is an awesome opportunity for them, and I was allowed to walk them to the gate. They are safe and sound with their friends. They met at the Feast and have stayed in touch ever since. Well, my close friend pointed out that it is really neat to have extended friendships. Friends that, even though you can’t see them often, you know they are there. It reminded me of a gift that another one of my close friends gave me. It is a decorative saying that states “Friends are like stars; you don’t always see them but you know they’re there.”

Friends are a blessing to have, whether they live next door or hours away. It is a relief to have someone you can call to just talk to about anything. It reminds me of a wise point in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

It is nice to have others to help us through this life. There is also a friend who we all can have a friendship with that we can’t see right now, but we know He is there. Jesus Christ is the ultimate friend to have in our lives. Not only can He lift us up when we fall, He can heal us, protect us, provide for us, and is willing to give us eternal life with Him. Won’t it be great in that day when we can see Him face to face? When He can speak to us like He did with His apostles, and we can hear these words from His lips: “I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father” (John 15:15).

So, let us rejoice in our friendships. Let us never forget to be a friend to others, and always remember we have a great and awesome best friend who will never leave us nor forsake us.