Listening on the phone to my oldest friend talk on and on about her life I was getting annoyed. I could hardly break in to share about my family or what I was doing. We were friends since Middle school and called “double trouble” by my parents since we shared the same first name – Nancy.
After high school our lives radically changed, I went to college and after one year in 
college she enrolled in the Navy. She eloped, had two children and was even deployed before I started my family and career. She served as my Matron of Honor and we stayed in touch through the years. But Nancy died before her 50th birthday from a heart attack and now I miss those unexpected calls.
My Mother told me that sometimes friends are only for a season and others, though few, last a lifetime. Change of location, education level, marriage or divorce and health issues are among the things that can separate people. What’s the difference between a friend and an acquaintance? Shared experiences, longevity and the depth of the relationship make a strong friendship. Co-workers can be friendly but most often those relationships are left “at the office”. We don’t share a deep knowledge of our personal life or familiarity with someone who’s an acquaintance.
Did you know that we were created to have relationships? There is great truth in the old saying, “No man is an island”. Good friendships bring richness to our lives, laughter and feelings of well-being as well as comfort, advice and support. God Himself created us to be in relationship with Him.
The Fall
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say……? Gen 3:1 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Gen 3:8-9
People often question, “Where is God?” yet it is often our choices that separate us from His presence. From the very beginning God has been looking and waiting for us to come to Him. Jesus stepped out of eternity to become human. He had family and friends. Jesus attended feasts, funerals and weddings. Trained as a carpenter He knew about a hard day’s work. He was loved and betrayed – Jesus understands all of our joy and pain.
He calls us.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28 (NLT)
He loves us
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life John 3:16 (NLT)
He will never fail us
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Heb 13:5 (NLT)
Jesus is the best friend you could ever have. He knows all about us yet loves us anyway. He took our place on the cross to satisfy our debt with a Holy God. He is faithful even when we are not. Our lives and circumstances change but He will never change. This is the greatest relationship you could ever have!
Lord, thank you for great love – even when I didn’t care. Please forgive me for all my wrong doings. I need your Presence and your guidance everyday so please come into my life and change me. Amen
Please let me know if this blog has touched your heart…especially if you have made a decision to have a closer personal relationship with God.
It seems we are all so busy that I need to plan a date for coffee with some dear friends. Life used to be less complicated and our schedules were all coordinated by the school calendar. There is something relaxing and unifying about taking the time to gather for coffee (or tea for a few).
Co-workers may share a cup together to break up the day. When friends make the time to gather for coffee it’s a time to slow down, relax and unwind. We share our lives by talking and listening while enjoying each other’s company. Sharing a cup of coffee is also a way of entertaining by inviting others in and making them feel welcome.
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