Friendship

I've been thinking a lot lately about friendship. Maybe that's because my BFF for the last 36 years has been here and we've spent time together. Maybe it's because I've had the joy of spending time with a number of new friends in last several days. Maybe it's because I watched the "Anne of Green Gables" marathon on TV yesterday. Maybe it's a combination of all of the aforementioned. I'm an introvert by nature. Not shy or timid, just introverted. It's not that I don't like people.  I love people, but my batteries are recharged by alone time. Nonetheless, friends are important to me.  As is typical with me, when I get a concept in my head, I start turning to the Bible to see what God has to say about the subject.  It might surprise people to know that much is written about friends and friendship in the Bible. The Bible warns us to be careful who we choose as friends. It gives us examples of bad friends (look at Job's friends!) and gives us the characteristics of good friends. Jesus had friends. He handpicked 12 men with whom He would spend His time and ministry. Of those 12, He had 3 to whom He was very close: Peter, James and John.  As I poured over the scriptures on friends and friendship, it became very apparent to me that there is but one who perfectly fulfills the role of friend at all times: Jesus. He is the One who sticks closer than a brother. He is the One who will never leave me nor forsake me. He is the One who always has my best interest at heart. He is the One in whom I can confide. While we all need "friends with skin" as I call them, it's important that we remember that He alone is our very best friend...our bosom friend...our kindred spirit. Friends are important and can bring joy to this life, but the one friend everyone needs is Jesus. Won't you take a minute today to connect (or reconnect) with Him? After some time with Him, why not call a friend with skin just to let them know how important they are to you.

Blessings,
Teresa

"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really

kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul." -L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)