I am just returning from a wonderful visit with some of my friends. We have an annual event that we call 'friendsgiving'. Where we take the time to gather, share food, conversation and generally have a good time. We all have our own lives, families, businesses and relationships. And some of us live many miles apart. But we always make time to reconnect.
It is so nice to have friends that make a conscious effort to spend time with you. We actually anticipate the times that we are able to get together. Sometimes it's just a lunch or dinner, sometimes it's for a party. And other times we actually go away and vacation together. Of course we all love each other and it becomes more and more obvious each time we get together.
I believe that the friendships we create are a very important part of this life. To have people that we love. To give and receive love, increases the quality of ones life. To be able to grow and create bonds. Helps us to know that we are not alone in this world, that we are all connected and that we need each other.
There are many wonderful examples of friendships in the bible. Look at David and Jonathan, when David came to work for Jonathan's father, they became best friends and loved each other like brothers. Even when Jonathan discovered that his father wanted to kill David, he did everything that he could to keep David safe. There was also Ruth and Naomi, Ruth refused to leave Naomi's side even after her husband died. She stayed with Naomi taking care of her as family even though she was released to return to her own family. And how about Elijah and Elisha, Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah. And he stayed with Elijah for the rest of his days until he was taken up into heaven. These friends were closer than they were with their family members.
We cannot chose our families but we can chose our friends. We do not always make the right choices, in choosing friends. But God has a way of fixing that. Don't you know that God will replace so-called friends with people that you need in your life. People that will enhance, improve and enrich your life. And I honestly feel like the people that are in my life now were God sent. I love my friends and I thank God for all of you.
In these days true friendships are rare and sometimes difficult to find. So if you have friends that are like family, friends that support you, cheer you on, friends that you trust, cherish them. Let them know that they are loved and appreciated. And always keep them lifted in prayer.
Ruth and Naomi
Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel 18:1-3 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
Elijah and Elisha
2 Kings 2:2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Romans 12: 10 King James Version Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;