A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17

Friends on TV seem to spend every day together. They make eggs together, go shopping, even vacation together. They are involved in every aspect of each others’ lives. It looks so beautiful, sharing all the moments with your bestie.

My friendships don’t look like that. My friends and I have very busy lives. Our lives are filled with family, ministry, and work responsibilities. We love each other deeply and trust each other implicitly, but we do not get to spend time together on a daily or even weekly basis. Our friendships look my more like shared memes that makes us laugh mid-day in the middle of the mess or texts that say, “I love you” that come just when you needed to hear that most. Our friendships are strong and steady and when we do have the pleasure of being together, it feels as if we have never been apart.

My friends are faithful – to the Lord, to their families, and to me. I know they will tell me the truth. If I am not approaching a situation in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, they will gently correct me. If I need to cry, they will patiently listen to my tears. When I feel alone, they will remind me that the Lord is always with me and they will be there for me too, even if only via the phone. My friends love me at all times and I love them. 

Friends for All Seasons

I would love to make pancakes with them, shop and go on cruises with them. That looks like a lot of fun. Maybe some day we will do those things. Only God knows what the future will bring. But I am deeply grateful to have friends who have loved me through the many seasons of my life. Some of these seasons were very difficult and not at all pretty. Their love remained steadfast and gave me strength to face the hard times.

This week I went to lunch with a dear friend I had not seen for months. The previous day she had received a diagnosis of breast cancer. We talked about treatments and fears and we also laughed about silly things, including ourselves. Next, we questioned why and we trusted in the goodness of God when we do not understand. We are friends. We love each other at all times, in the good times and in the bad.

Friends are a beautiful gift from the Lord. The Lord loves us through our friends. We see His goodness in the faithful love of friends. I thank the Lord for the gift of my friends and pray that He will show me how to show His love in deeper and greater ways to my beloved friends.