By Valorie Gonzalez

Friendship is just another form of intimate relationship our heavenly father has bestowed upon us.  And, as all relationships one must build on it and treasure it.  Yet, funny thing with friendship is that it can and should be the easiest relationship you ever have.  One must be mindful of toxic, negative, draining, dangerous, and unhealthy friendships.  This isn’t what God has in mind for us.  There are people that will cross our paths for a moment, a season, or a lifetime.  Often times, we need to build them up, guide them, or intervene in prayer.  One should pray for discernment.

Our heavenly father has literally ordered us to build friendships and nurture them in the process.  He knew it was healthy and an enrichment to our lives to build friendships, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:12-15).

I have been blessed with those I call friends, Father God knew the precise time to put them in my path and for what purpose.  I’ve been blessed with friends that have served my children and I as teachers, mentors in my personal, professional, and spiritual walk, prayer warriors in my times of tribulation, cooks when I had to juggle three children, school, and work, nurses in my time of ailment, and even, baby sitters.  A friend brings about joy, laughter, shares tears, takes on burdens, and keeps secrets. Most importantly a true friend that loves unconditionally will keep you from going astray without passing judgment.  The greatest and effortless  part of friendship is…that no matter how much time goes by, you are able to continue loving and respecting one another and do not need to speak every moment or catch up every month to know you are still friends. 

Thank you Father, for the enrichment of friendship you have placed in my life.  Thank you, friends for your faithfulness…you know who you are.

“Every act of kindness moves to a larger one.  Till friendships bloom to show what little deeds have done,” (June Masters Bacher).

And always remember to Just Breathe!

Reflection Corner:

1.) When was the last time you thanked God for the friends he’s placed in your life?

2.) As you pray today, lift up your friends and their loved ones in prayer.

3.) As we go along our busy lives let’s stop for a moment and make a call, drop a greeting card in the mail, email, text message, or facebook a friend…let them know you are thinking of them.

4.) If you feel alone, misunderstood, at your wit’s end, reach out to a friend.