There are many things common among us humans. Besides the obvious, there is one vital part of each of us, no matter how we might argue or put up a stink, need.
WE. ALL. NEED. FRIENDS.
Despite the ’60s song that said, “I am a rock/I am an island,” that simply is not true. I’ve even heard people say, “I don’t need nobody else.” To that I say, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” 🙂
The tough part of friendship is knowing whom to trust. You want to find someone you can open up to. The betrayal one feels when a person whom you trusted passes along sensitive information cuts deeply. You took a chance by revealing deep thoughts or doubts or actions and then to have that information passed along feels violating. Loyalty is a must for a friendship to flourish.
Friendship also requires honesty. Lying to one another has no place if friendship is to develop and go beyond a surface “Hi.” Pr. 27:6 says, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (NLT) Friendships say what needs to be said, even if it hurts.
At the same time there is honesty, there must also be sensitivity. Friends don’t blow off at friends. Friends choose their words carefully. They refrain from gossip because gossip separates the closest of friends. (Pr. 16:28)
Being a friend is not easy at times, but it is essential. We all need someone. I can say Jo is my best friend (and she is), but I also need guy friends. Tragically, two of them passed away within the past two years. I miss them, especially Dave, but I know they were in my life for a reason. They were all the above characteristics. It is important, though, that I become a friend to someone else. Someone who is trustworthy (loyal), honest, and sensitive.
“Lord, who do you want me to be a friend to?”
God created us for relationship and friends are a critical part of living our lives fully. Danny is my best friend, too, Bill, just as Jo is yours, but I certainly hear where you are coming from. I’m sure God will show you who is needing your friendship. Blessings!
That is my prayer Martha.
Bill, I’ve actually been thinking more about this recently while going through the book we have been reading for FightClub. The author, a pastor of a church in Jacksonville, FL talks about identifying your mat carriers. The guys that will literally rip a roof off to get you in the presence of our savior. I think that is what you are talking about here. Those guys that know us intimately, those guys that know us and yet still are willing to hang with us. Those guys that will hold us accountable and push us to grow. Thank you for being that guy in my life, one of my mat carriers. Love you brother!
What a great idea Ryan! Mat carriers. 🙂 And thank you for being one of those guys in my life as well. You need to move back here. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Friends are absolutely needed. To protect those relationships we need to have the correct relationship with our Father. When we have God first in our lives, God will strengthen all of our relationships. The Lord has brought some people into my life that I didn’t see as going to be close friends necessarily, maybe just acquaintances. The Lord use those relationships to teach me so many things, and opened my heart and eyes to things I would not have done on my own.
You are right Gail. It is always interesting how acquaintances become friends. And then they become more than that.