10 Things I Have Learned During My Leave – #8

#8 -  I have phenomenal friends.

Main Entry:      friend
Part of Speech:     noun
Definition:     confidant, companion
Synonyms:     acquaintance, ally, alter ego, associate, bosom buddy, buddy, chum*, classmate, cohort, colleague, companion*, compatriot, comrade, consort, cousin, crony, familiar, intimate, mate, pal, partner, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, sidekick, soul mate*, spare*, well-wisher

One of my favorite Christmas movies is the 1946 classic,  “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  One of the greatest lines from the movie is, “No man is a failure who has friends.”  Over the last few weeks during my leave of absence for our 5th baby, I have realized that my family and I are blessed with amazing friends.

I cannot say enough about the last few weeks and the great times we have had with our friends.  Unfortunately, Christy has missed some of them because she has been more restricted with Caden.  Whether it has been birthday parties, front porch talks, dinners, weddings, or weekend trips our attention has been turned to the great people in our lives.  It is easy to look past some of the great people God has strategically placed in your lives.   We are grateful for the friendships that God has given us.

The Bible stresses the importance of relationships.  One of my favorite verses of the Bible is Proverbs 18:1, “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” Many times we get ourselves in trouble when we cut ourselves off from the divine friendships that God has given us to supply wisdom, accountability, encouragement, support, and love.

The Bible also discusses the value of a friend in Ecclesiastes 4: 9 – 12, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The lesson? We need to often evaluate, “who are the God-given friends in my life?”  Next, we must fight for those friendships… through intentional planning to “do life together.”  Finally, we need to ask ourselves, “who used to be in our lives that we need to invite back in to our life?”  As a bonus question we may also need to ask, “who is in my life right now that I need to un-invite?”

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Tags: 10 Things, Discipleship, friendship