What is True Friendship?

I have been reminded again of how valuable friendship really is the last several weeks. One friend that I once taught with is headed to teach in Texas. Another good friend that worked at the same school is moving to Alabama.

My husband and I had dinner with a couple that we have been friends with since our children were young. We ended up having a three hour dinner! It had been way too long!

We have some friends from our young married years that we still are in contact with even though they are in different states…and when we talk it seems like it was just yesterday we spoke. And we are so fortunate to have great friendships that have been around since our school days. We stick together because when one of us forgets, odds are that someone else remembers!

But a very good childhood friend left for Florida today. The memories we have will be treasured forever.

Different seasons in life indeed bring different friendships and that is most certainly a gift from God. Working in an elementary school brought a whole set of memories that will not be forgotten. Laughter was the theme….and a lot of prayer. Friends that pray together share an intimacy that can never be severed.

My childhood friend became my teenage friend, my young married woman friend, middle age married woman friend and now retirement aged friend. We were half way related at one point (her aunt/my uncle). We have experienced the liveliness of roller skating, the thrill of her driving skills, the joy of sharing our young loves. We have dealt with births, deaths, raising and homeschooling sons, Bible studies, contemporary Christian conferences and concerts.

I could go on and on.

How could a friendship last so long? What is special about those certain people who no matter the place or time, you pick up where you left off?

First of all….you take time to care. You are honest. You are encouraging. You listen. But you don’t have to do it daily, there really isn’t a certain set of rules you have to follow. You love unconditionally.

I lost myself a couple of years ago to major stress and in turn, lost my connection with many friends. This childhood friend was one of them….but guess what? She listened when I called to apologize and eventually we got back to our “normal”. She loved me unconditionally.

It reminds me of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit really. I think that we forget that God calls us friend. He fulfills all those conditions….we can be honest with Him, He listens, He is encouraging, He loves unconditionally.

John 15:13-15 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

The older I get the more valuable I realize friendship is…and how true friendship might even be a bit rare. But what an encouragement to know that Jesus is truly my best friend….no cliche intended!!

I might even design some friendship bracelets for the “over 50” crowd!!

~Be Blessed

IN CHRIST ALONE