Friendship, just the perfect blend-ship
The importance of Friendship, a confidant, a pal, a true blue, your ride or die. This world is a mess which is why God have us friends to walk through with us!
If you’re ever in a jam, here I am. If you're ever in a mess, SOS. If you ever loose your teeth and we’re out to dine, borrow mine! It’s friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship. When other friendships have been forgate, ours will still be great!
You may recognize this song which I first heard on “I Love Lucy”, one of my favorite TV shows. (You can watch it here) I investigated to find more of the lyrics, and I have to say, they are quite humorous. While the lyrics may not convey the importance of friendship, they capture the heart of truly being there for someone you treasure.
Lucy and Ethel’s TV friendship is one of the most iconic in modern culture. Though they didn’t always treat each other like a friend should. I read, “The life story of Vivian Vance” (who played Ethel). It turns out their real life friendship , while not quite as chummy as their onscreen one, was ultimately sweet.
The various Friendships in my life have been on my mind lately
My hubby is my best friend, our marriage has truly taught me the importance of Friendship. I have and have had many other other friends, and they have been on my mind lately.
Friendship has many variations, stages and ages. I feel friendship is like a patchwork quilt, no two are alike.
Why do we sometimes have the urge to compare friendships? Having certain expectations can leave us feeling jilted or un necessarily hurt.
Wether we want to compare to an on screen friendship, or others we view on social media, even our own friends to one another, this can put a lot of pressure on the people we love most.
I love my friends, I attempt to show them through my actions the importance of friendship, yet I have been guilty of being easily offended by them, when God has called me to extend grace.
Even though I have read what the Bible has to say on friendship many times, I wanted to re study this topic. How could I be a better friend?
What does the Bible say about Friendship?
Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times.
We know from 1 Corinthians 13 the love chapter: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand its own way, is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.
Society has broadened and even clouded the term friend
I believe the importance of friendship has become foggy. Due to our current description of “friend” in society, has a very broad range. We certainly can’t trust every person to be a friend. Though a friendship shouldn't be discounted because they didn’t act like another we are comparing them to.
Here are some thoughts on friends:
Some friends are great at remembering birthdays and anniversaries, some are not.
Some friends will like every post you post, and some won’t have even seen them.
Some friends know your family and ask about them, some won’t.
Some friends are couple friends, some are not.
Some friends call you and text you on the regular and some don’t and won’t ever.
Some friends can make you laugh so hard you can’t breathe.
Some friends will have that sense from the Holy Spirit to check in on you at just the right moment, and some won’t.
Some friends are fellow prayer warriors, the ones you can text or call immediately even in the middle of the night, and you know they will pray.
Some friends are siblings, who you have had the most growing and changing with. You met them or they met you their first day on earth and your life will never be the same. They share your parents, and a part of you no other friend ever will compare to.
Some friends you met the first day of pre-school, and have had them longer than your siblings; no matter where life takes you they will always hold a place no distance can separate.
Some friends knew your grandma and grandpa who are now long gone, which is comforting when relaying a story or a memory and they remember too.
Some friends are the ones standing at the door of the hospital ready to catch you as you arrive, not knowing if your daddy will live or die.
Some friends are cousins connected by blood and genetics. With memories of slumber parties and baseball played in the living room with pillows for bases until the early morning hours. Summers full of pool parties and family reunions. We slurped up watermelon, laughed so hard and played in the parlor of Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Some friends we haven’t seen in quite some time, and yet when their picture comes across your gaze on social media or in an album, you are reminded of days of old.
Some friends you did shows and auditions with, they were next to you at your make up station and you chatted every day that summer. There is a special bond created when you work hard together to create beautiful art that brings joy to audiences.
Some friends aren’t here anymore, but the memory of their friendship is something stamped on your heart and laced in your memory.
Some friends are now considered enemies, wether a wrong was done by or to you.
Some friends see eye to eye with you on politics and religion, some don’t.
Some friends love the same food and drinks as you, and some don’t.
Some friends are at the same life stage as you, some are not.
Some friends you can glean wisdom from, and some friends need the wisdom you have.
Some friends have good fashion sense, some don’t.
Some friends are your age and from your generation, some are not.
Some friends are quick friends, some take time.
Some friends you will never hear from again, and not because of anything bad, that’s just life.
Some friends like to shop, and some don’t.
Some friends you will never meet in person, and some friends you will only interact with in person.
Some friends you can be completely transparent with and feel safe baring your soul, they’ll bear your burdens with you, others you have to be careful how much you share.
Some friends you meet at work, some become close friends and some you may just get along with while you are doing your job.
Some friends root for a different sports team or sport, and some share your sports passions.
Some friends you haven’t seen in a long time, but when you do, it’s as if not a minute has passed since you last spoke.
My Conclusion
Every friendship, I repeat, every friendship will be different from each other. Do you know what? that’s ok.
God put on my heart the importance of friendship, how I should be looking to celebrate the different strengths of each friend. Be on the Lookout for ways I can extend grace to them in their weaknesses.
He showed me I can’t be the everything friend to everyone of my friends, sorry guys!
Let's cut each other some slack, ourselves included. Let’s be the kind of friends who celebrate and don’t scrutinize each other. The type of friends Christ calls us to be. In turn allow our friends to be what God made them to be, to us and others.
To all of my friends
To all my my friends past and present, long time and short. Thank you for all you have been and are to me. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned from you, for the grace you have extended to me. Forgive me if I have hurt you in anyway or come up short.
I'm Looking forward to new memories with all of you, and I hold the old ones sacred. I pray you feel an extra Blessing today in the area of friendship.
Jesus says
in: John 15:13
Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for his friends.