Saturday, May 5, 2012

True Friends Strengthen Us

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. -- Ecclesiastes 4:10

Blessed is the person -- and I am one -- who have real, true friends when life is troubling and unkind. We all know many people but friends, well, that’s a different thing.

Friends listen without end and take your side when you’re under attack. They understand your hurt and pain, your troubles, and your joys. They give hugs, say prayers and join in your laughter.

True friends are trustworthy. You don’t have to worry that what you say will be repeated. That lets you be vulnerable and real. Children of God coming together to help and support one another.

I am blessed to have friends like these. And I am blessed to be part of a small group of women who have come together to know God better and to love and support one another. We didn’t plan it that way. Our intent was Bible study. Our result has been a safe place of sharing and laughter and friendship.

I have to believe that’s what God intended. I look at Jesus and His friends Mary and Martha and Lazarus. I think of David and Jonathan. We all need friends to walk by our sides on this life journey.

Some say that we only really have one or two true friends in our lives at any given time. That could be true. But I also believe that we can widen that circle, depending on where we are in our lives. We can participate in small, safe groups. We can have people who support us, and whom we support, in different areas of our lives.

For example, I have a dear friend who is struggling with mama issues. No. Not that kind. Her widowed mother is in failing health. She has two sisters to help but it’s still hard. She’s never done anything right in her mama’s eyes and time hasn’t eased that pain. In some ways it’s worse now, because of her mama’s health.

I can talk to her. I can listen. We understand each other because I, too, am dealing with elderly parents who are critical and in failing health. So we share and, in turn, support one another. Our bond of friendship gives each of us strength to face situations and days that seem so difficult at times.

I can’t imagine trying to face life without friends to laugh and cry with along the way. I value my friends so much. I pray that each of you has friends to walk with you and strengthen you, to understand and love you. It’s what God wants for each of us.