October 31, 2014

Will you be my friend?

We are born wanting and needing a connection with others. But unlike children, we take our prejudices, past failures, hurts, expectations, and disappointments to the playground with us, making it difficult and sometimes impossible to establish or keep meaningful friendships. How can we be surrounded by so many people yet feel so alone? How wide is your circle? How deep is your love?

10 Never abandon a friend—
    either yours or your father’s.
When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance.
    It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.
 Proverbs 27:10
The minute our friend does not respond the way we would have responded to them, our feelings are hurt. Which, when you think about it is totally nuts. The reason they're your friend in the first place is because they are different from you. Your friend can't possibly have your qualities and their own too. Can we really love people for who they are?

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[a] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[b] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:9-15
Time is always a fleeting resource. I feel there is just not enough time to complete my personal to do list, professional obligations, and family commitments. Am I doing all the things I'm destined to accomplish? We're busy making and spending our money and playing chase with time. As women we feel the need to do it all, but we most often forget the most important contribution of living a life of uncommon joy-the keeping and rekindling of friendships. Money will not sit by your side during a heart break, nor will time celebrate with you in moments of happiness. We don't mourn for more experiences or things, but grieve the loss of the most valuable resource-friendship. Accomplishments and wealth will not fill our sense of belonging. In our final days there will be one lasting resource that will bring laughter, contentment, meaning, and belonging. Friendships, new and old, will be the resource that brings us uncommon joy.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 
As we get older we're more protective of out hearts and our pride. We fear the judgement of others. We try to look like we have it all together when in reality the perfection we work to portray is the very thing that keeps others from opening up to us. 

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