Friends

Over the years Jay and I have developed many friendships. Some were temporary while others continue year after year. We have dear friends that live halfway across the country and within that relationship we’ve found comrades who have laughed and cried with us, celebrated with us, and comforted us in our times of mourning. The Trinity has existed since the time that was before time: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have enjoyed some sort of divine friendship that is beyond our understanding. But they have given our hearts the desire for friendship too. We long for relationships where we can be real, honest, and transparent; where we know we’ll never find condemnation but rather acceptance and love. The Lord wants you to experience friendship at this level. If you have this kind of friendship in your life, give thanks and guard that friendship like the treasure it is. And if you’re not experiencing that right now, ask God to bring a true friend into your life. He answers prayer—and friendships are close to His father’s heart.

WHEN YOU SEE OTHER MOTHERS STRUGGLING AND NEEDING A FRIEND . . .

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

WHEN YOU NEED TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD FRIENDS TO YOUR CHILDREN . . .

Walk with the wise and become wise;

associate with fools and get in trouble.

There are “friends” who destroy each other,

but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

As iron sharpens iron,

so a friend sharpens a friend.