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Mary Southerland relates "to admit my need of a friend seemed like a weakness instead of the precious gift God created it to be."
“Friendship is the springboard to every other love and the foundation for every healthy relationship.
It is a proven fact that lonely people live shorter lives than those who have healthy friendships.
Even Jesus needed friends when He walked this earth as a man. In fact, He placed great value on relationships. The Bible tells us Jesus spent much of His time deepening the relationships with a few – not the crowd.
I love the story of an ingenious teenager who was tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister. He decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape.
When he presented the tape player and tape to his sister, he explained, ‘Now you can hear your stories any time you want. Isn't that great?’
The little girl took one look at the machine, frowned and then replied, ‘No! It is not great! That thing does not have a lap!’
It is a proven fact that lonely people live shorter lives than those who have healthy friendships.
Even Jesus needed friends when He walked this earth as a man. In fact, He placed great value on relationships. The Bible tells us Jesus spent much of His time deepening the relationships with a few – not the crowd.
I love the story of an ingenious teenager who was tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister. He decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape.
When he presented the tape player and tape to his sister, he explained, ‘Now you can hear your stories any time you want. Isn't that great?’
The little girl took one look at the machine, frowned and then replied, ‘No! It is not great! That thing does not have a lap!’
God created us to need each other. That truth is never more evident than when we are in pain or struggling with some crisis in life. One of the main factors leading to a two-year battle with clinical depression in my life was the absence of replenishing friendships.
As I think back to that time, I am sure many women would have counted themselves as my friend when, in reality, they were simply acquaintances because that was all I would allow them to be.
My pride kept me from admitting I wasn’t Superwoman and that I did need the help of others. My insecurity held me back from reaching out to new friends and cultivating old ones.
To admit my need of a friend seemed like a weakness instead of the precious gift God created it to be. I refused to take the risk of being hurt, rejected or misunderstood.
I did not have time to invest in building intimate friendships and was too busy doing the work of God to be a friend. As a result, when the darkness hit, I felt isolated and alone.
Friendship took on an entirely different meaning in my life from that point on. In fact, friends are a great source of strength and encouragement in my life today.
Friends fast and pray for me, holding me accountable and confronting me when they see my priorities lining up in the wrong way. Friends make me stop and take time for fun. Friends have taught me to be transparent.
Have I been hurt along the way? Yes.
Have I been misunderstood? Yes.
Have the friendships been worth the price? Absolutely!
Roses are beautiful flowers. People who know me are aware of the fact that I can kill any plant known to mankind.
I once had a neighbor who grew roses in every shade of pink, yellow and red. I often watched Joan work in her garden and eventually realized she never handled the roses without wearing long sleeves and thick gloves.
The roses were beautiful, but their thorns were not and could certainly inflict a lot of pain.
In fact, my neighbor always seemed to have cuts and scrapes on her hands and arms even with the long sleeves and gloves she wore.
I once asked Joan why she continued to grow roses and jokingly suggested she might want to consider raising a less dangerous kind of flower. I will never forget her answer and the profound truth it held, ‘The beauty of the rose is worth the occasional wound it gives.
I have learned to handle the roses with respect and in such a way that my wounds are few.’The same truth can be said of friendships.
Does the world know we are His disciples by the way we love and relate to each other?
Let’s Pray:
Lord, I praise You for the gift of friendship. Today I commit to investing more time in deepening the friendships You have given me. I want others to see You in the way I relate to my friends. I am willing to risk being hurt in order to be a better friend.
I will look for needs that I can meet in the lives of my friends and be transparent in sharing my needs with them. Today, I choose to honor You in every friendship and trust You with each one. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Mary Southerland May 30, 2012 on www.Crosswalk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marysfriends
Website: www.marysoutherland.com
Update:
Need help learning how to live a life of power and purpose? Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible Study, How to Become a Powerful Woman, and learn how to live a life of victory. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.”
(Google images and my emphasis added)
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecc. 4:12 (NIV
Our quote for today:"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope." Anonymous
Our thought for today: Share how "The Lord did this", when you understand God's leading in a situation.
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