Friendships

     There are a lot of friendship quotes and many get posted on facebook. 
     Speaking of facebook, this social media provides a way to have zillions of friends, but how many do we actually know on a personal level?  Sure we click "like" and make casual written memos, but do we really talk to them or know their hearts? 
     I didn't mean to get off on facebook, so let's get back to the friendship quotes and review some thoughts on who can really be a best friend for life.  Below are just a few sayings I found on the internet.  It was hard to stop with just a few for there were so many good ones.

"A true friend is someone

who sees the pain in your

eyes while everyone else

believes your smile."    

God gives us many promises and among them is the promise to be with us through painful moments. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2   What better friend is there than the One who sees our pain and walks with us through it? 

 

"FRIENDS UPLIFT THE SOUL"                        When we make mistakes, do our friends turn away?  God doesn't.  He continues to love us and stands waiting to lift us up.  He is always willing to forgive and help us walk in a new light. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25  Then again, as we read of His power, we realize He is a friend who will give us complete rest.  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

      "A true friend is someone who

accepts your past, supports your

present, and encourages your future."       Nothing gives more peace than knowing there is a Friend who we can go to regardless of our past.  He has forgiven us, if we have asked.   All we need to do is forgive ourselves and walk into the future with Him.  "The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalms 121:7,8

"There are some

people in life that

make you laugh a

little louder, smile a

little bigger and live

just a little bit better."

 God's Word uplifts, and His word is a way of getting to know Him.  If we have been saved by acknowleding His Son, Jesus, and His death for us, then we have laughter, joy, and peace.  "The entrace of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalms 119:130  What better friends would we want than the One willing to send His only Son and the One willing to freely lay down His life for us?  Knowing we are saved gives us joy; we can smile through our problems, and we are given a desire to live just a little bit better.
 

"Friendship

is an umbrella that shields
you from the strongest of
thunderstorms.
All you need to do is
hold onto it. "                 Isn't it wonderful that our Friend provides us with an umbrella against the storms in our life?  "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."  Ephesians 6:16         "For thou, Lord, wilt beless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Psalms 5:12    No other friend can protect us like our Heavenly Father. 

 "A true friend is someone who thinks you are  a good egg, even though he knows you are slightly cracked."           Finally,  God knows all.  He sees our flaws, our faults, and our deeds, even our thoughts.  He created us in His own special way, and He is willing to accept us just like we are.  "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7 

Catch and Release

     One of my favorite past-times is a good ole’ fishing trip whether on a pond or a lake.  It’s almost as good as sitting in “A Friendly Shade.”  In fact, my husband and I recently returned from a trout fishing trip.  This one, I have to admit, was not the typical fishing I am used to doing.  I learned at an early age that if you want to fish you do it all yourself; that is, you bait your own hook, remove your own fish, and clean them yourself.  This is not the way it is when you book a guided trip on the White River.  Jamie, our guide at Hurst Landing does it all for you.  He puts the boat in all the right places and baits the hook.  All we have to do is catch the trout.  Then he removes the trout and releases them, waiting for just the right size to keep.  At the end of trip, he cleans and bags them.    
     We actually did a lot of “catch and release” on this half day fishing trip.  Jamie counted 84 in a four hour span, letting us keep our limit of only five for each person.  I  suppose, if you counted the cost, the trout we brought home would be considered quite expensive.  Needless to say, they will be considered a special delicacy when served.  The ones we released will simply be forgotten.   
     We have been on several of these trips and I have never really thought much about the ones we “catch and release” until I read a story from my “In Touch” devotional publication.  In the story, a homeless black man asked, “I heard when white folks go fishing, they do this thing called ‘catch and release.’  Why?”  The answer was simple. “It’s a sport!”  The reply to that response was mind-catching.  “Well, if you is fishing for a friend, and you gonna’ catch and release, then I ain’t got no desire to be your friend.”
      Hold that thought!  How often do we strive to develop friendships and then let them go.  Maybe one moves.  How much effort is made to maintain that friendship.  Maybe one says or does something we don’t like or agree with.  How willing are we to “let it go” in order to maintain that friendship?   Maybe one has a problem.  Do we get fed-up with listening to their complaints and began to avoid them altogether?  What efforts do we make to maintain friendships?  How do we feel when we are the ones being released?    
     I don’t think the words, “catch and release” will ever mean the same after considering those wise words from this homeless man.    

 

 

 

Friendship

     A friend is defined as a person who is attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard, or  just a person who is on good terms with another.

     How do you define friendship?  In Proverbs 18:24 we are told that “A friend sticks closer than a brother.”  However, we are also told to beware of who we  make friends with for they may deceive us. 

     To find a true friend is very rare.  A true friend shares your sorrows.  He knows your weaknesses; he can look on the inside of your heart and love you anyway. A true friend will not reject you when you fail to meet their expectations.   A true friend can be relied upon to share innermost secrets and keep them confidential.  A true friend may not drop by your house or may not call you every day or even see you for years at a time but, when you need him, he is there.  A true friend will cry with you in your sorrow; they will inspire you with your dreams; they will be happy for you in your successes, and they may even tell you when you are wrong. 

     Some friends remain true for a lifetime while others are placed in your life for a season.  Whatever the case, true friendship is a treasure. 

     Some people live a lifetime without ever finding or having a true friend in their lives.  Others may only have one friend who ever enters their lives.  Then there are some who have enjoyed many very close and meaningful friendships.  The one really valuable lesson in life is that to have a true friend, you must be one, too.  You must be willing to reach out and be a strong champion; one who shows compassion, love, endurance, and hours of sharing in successes, weaknesses, and  failures, leaving all envy and jealousy behind.  Friends will not always meet your expectations, but then you will not always meet theirs either.  

     True friends are rare.