The Friendships That I'm Grateful For
There’s a plant that sits on a little table next to my porch. I’ve had it since April, and it’s the longest I’ve kept a plant without killing it.
This plant is a poignant reminder of the friendships that sustain me. A group of friends on staff at Eastridge with me sent it to me the day my dad passed away.
This group of friends means so much to me. We look out for each other, encourage each other, and listen to each other. We all make sure that none of us in our group take ourselves too seriously, yet we take our friendship extremely seriously.
I’m part of a small group at church that I consider a collection of genuine friendships. I’ve known some people in the group a lot longer than others, but I know that they have my back and vice versa.
I have a couple of particular friends whom I’ve known for a long time. In both cases, we may go weeks without speaking to each other, but when we do, it’s like a conversation that keeps going on and on. I know that either one of these guys would help me any time I called them, and they know I would do the same for them.
I don’t take the friendships that God has given me for granted. True friendships are rare, and I believe that God places people in my life for many different reasons. I cherish true friendships - and I’ve mourned the ones that have run their course.
God’s Word has plenty to say about our friendships:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
Proverbs 27:9 (ESV)
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
If you’re a friend of mine, know that I appreciate you and don’t take you for granted. I’m thankful to God for you.
How do you let your friends know how grateful you are for them?
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash