You need a family?

Of all possessions a friend is the most precious. (Herodotus)

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. (Proverbs 18:24 MSG)

We might think being surrounded with a multitude of people we refer to as 'friends' is always a good thing, but as you may have already figured out, not all 'friends' will be there when you are going through a tough time. Mom always used to quote this passage to me when I bemoaned not having 'friends' like all the other kids my age did. She'd remind me that to have a friend, one needed to show himself or herself as a friend FIRST. That meant this introvert needed to be a little more outgoing! It took me years and a whole lot of time alone with Jesus to actually become a little more of an extravert, but it didn't come naturally to me. I found myself wanting to draw back, hide behind whatever mask was available, and just 'be there' without really being there. If that might hit home for you, there is a good friend who is just yearning for your presence in their lives - you just need to ask God to make you bold enough to reach outside of your comfort zone to find them!

Friends come and go. This truth has always been an accurate description of the 'dilemma' of relationships. We might label a good many as 'friends' in our lives, but some are merely acquaintances. We enjoy hanging with them from time to time, but there is no real 'closeness' or sharing of those things that affect us so very deeply. A true friend is harder to find. There is no 'marketplace' to obtain the latest model of a 'true friend'. Wouldn't it be nice if there were? There will be fits and starts toward a 'solid' friendship with some individuals in your life, but in the end, will they be there when you hurt the worst? They might be there when you are celebrating life's good stuff, but when the hard, costly stuff comes your way, will they be? If you have a 'true friend', they will!

Like family - did you catch those words in our passage? Some might want to skip over those words because their own 'family' isn't all that solid. Perhaps God is bringing that one into your life that will teach you the meaning of 'true family'. When he does, hold on for dear life to that special gift he is giving you in that individual. You can count on the fact that their life will forever change yours. They will enrich it, making it just a bit fuller, and being there when you just need a shoulder to lean into when the energies have been sapped from you. Yes, to have friends, one must be a friend FIRST. To have a true friend, one must learn to value the gifts in the individual God brings across your path. They haven't been placed in your path by accident - they are God's gift of 'family'. Just sayin!