I started using social media back in 2009 I can honestly say that I never put much stock into how many people friended me. I realized early on that everyone who requests to friend me may or may not be a friend. Today I have more than a thousand friends and most of them I have never met. Most of them are friends of friends of friends.
I am about to participate in a small group women’s study, We Saved You a Seat by Lisa -Jo Baker. I am believing that I will learn much. Before we even get started my little “gray cells” are turning. I am pondering what it means to have friends but also what it means to be a good friend.
I do not have many close friends. I guess that I have just never had the need to surround myself with a bunch of people. I consider myself very personable-very approachable, but I am cautious when it comes to who I allow within my inner circle. I realize that everyone’s motives are not what they seem. Therefore, I pray about those whom I meet, and I certainly pray about those who I connect with. Does it mean that I am looking for perfection in people? No! Absolutely not! You see I know that I am not perfect either. I make mistakes and sometimes say things that I should not, and the list goes on. But I do pray to have the heart of the Father being led by His love-full of compassion and mercy and grace. I pray that when someone offends me that God helps me to forgive and to forgive quickly. A friend gave me a tee-shirt that says, “I am holy enough to pray for you and hood enough to swing on you!” We both laughed and laughed because the saying spoke volumes.
So, what is a friend? Is a friend simply someone you know or someone that you know and are bonded to with affection and love and life experience? I read in Proverbs 18:24 (The Passion Translation) Some friendships don’t last for long but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other! I believe that God brings people into our lives, always, with a purpose. Some become forever friends, others are only there for a season and only God knows the reason why. Today, I thank God for every person that He has ever brought into my life. I thank Him for the acquaintances and how He used them to serve Him by serving me. I thank God for those close friends who have proven over and over again that they are for me and have my back. Those ladies that are in the background praying for me and encouraging me. They are not “yes” women but will be open and honest with me about me because they want the best for me as I do them. Yes, true friends are a treasure. They are valuable and are to be respected, shown love and kindness and prayed for. I challenge you today to not take your friends for granted. Call them. Let them know how much you appreciate them. They need to hear it as much as you need to say it!
