The Value of Friendships

Proverbs 13:20  "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
(who your friends are says a lot about you....)

Proverbs 18:24  "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(there is always One who will stand beside you)

I'm thinking about friendships this morning.  I know, what was the first clue?  The title?  I wonder what made me think of that this morning.  I know that the recent death of a close friend has brought me to tears many times lately.  I keep wanting to reach out, but I didn't know the rest of the family well enough to do that - what I mean is, they have a lot of relatives, and the one I do know, the daughter, is working in another city.  I don't know what to do - I know they have a great ache and loneliness within them too.  The suddenness of it all is still a shock.  I miss her a lot.

And I'm thinking of another friend who has already passed one; one whom I have always called my 'best friend'.  This friend stood beside me until death finally claimed her.  She walked me through my divorce, she held my hand in trials, she encouraged me through discouragement.  She was a true friend, in every sense of the word.

I found the above scriptures just briefly going through my Bible.... I've had some bad friends who influenced me - and not in a good way.  I've also have friends who help me stay focused on my goal of being Christ-like.  Sometimes it is not even friends who help in that area- relatives do that too.  They can make cutting remarks or comments that make me step back and evaluate where I am and what am I doing.  I try to see what I need to change in me.  Sometimes they are just having a bad day and I'm getting the brunt of it.  Either way, it causes me to think of what I need to work on.

I need friends.  I love friends.  I enjoy friends. 

I have a lot of friends - some are closer than others.  My up line boss is in my 'group' of 'best friends'.  She and I have known each other over 20 years and our friendship has grown over the years.  We have worked together before - and are now.  She has been such an inspiration to me and an encourager.  She always makes me want to be better.  To react to issues better.  To be positive about things instead of negative.  To look for the good in situations, to look at the bad stuff in a new light.  She is amazing. 

And I want to be such a friend.  I want to be an encourager.  I want to inspire others to succeed, to be better than they are.  I want to help people see the good in their situations and help them to help themselves.  I want to be a true friend to them, not just in the good times, but in the bad times as well.  I want to be positive and be a positive influence in others lives.  I want to see the good in situations, and deal with the bad stuff in a positive way. 

I want to be a friend to those who don't have someone they can call a friend.  I want to stand beside them in the good and the bad.  I want to be a friend who walks beside them in their journey of life.  I want to be the friend they need, whenever they need them.  

I've had - and have - such friends.  I want to be like them.  But the greatest model of a true Friend is Jesus Christ.  No matter what I've done, where I've been, I know that He will never turn His back on me.   He is closer than a brother, He is a true Friend, in every sense of the word.

What about you?  Do you have a special friend whom you can call on day or night, one whom will encourage you and walk your journey of life with?  If not, choose carefully.  Don't choose friends who are only there when you can do something for them, or will pull you into negative things.  Choose some one who will walk with you when you have nothing.  When all is stripped away.

Are you such a friend?  Are you a friend who can say you truly love and care for others?  Are you a friend who will walk with someone through the toughest parts of their life journey?  Are you a friend who will just hold their hand when they need a friend?  Will you encourage them to succeed, to be all they can be?  Will you inspire them to do better and greater things?  Will you walk with them in the difficult times?

I want to be a true friend.  My prayer for you is that you will think about those you call friends, and identify at least one you can encourage today.  Take a few moments to send them an email, a note, or even make a phone call, and just check on them to see how they are doing.  Take a moment to say 'I care'.  Be an example to them - that when you need encouragement, they will be there for you.

Blessings!-