This past week I had the pleasure of visiting some really good friends. These are the type of friends that are there for life. You can talk about anything, just “get each other”, and don’t even have to talk to enjoy the company.
Spending time with them made me realize how much I miss having close friends in the neighborhood. I miss the conversations, the walks along the beach, having coffee on a whim, and Saturday lunches.
I nearly cried when I had to board my plane. You see, there is a good chance I won’t see them again until next year. With travel being expensive, and having a household on one income, you budget for trips, and this one is typically once a year.
I do thank God for email, Skype, and phones that allow me to stay in touch from a distance. However, when a friend is going through something so stressful that they say, “I wish you were here.” And, you know they really need you, it is tough.
You pray for them, and you pray for yourself because their hurt makes you hurt. You want to comfort them. Hug them. Let them see your face so they can see how much you are hurting with them.
God gave us friends for a reason. Think about it. He created Eve for Adam so he wouldn’t be alone.
…but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. ~ Genesis 2:21-22
I know she was meant to be a lifelong partner, wife, for him. However, the idea is the same.
God doesn’t want us to be alone. He wants us to have fellowship. He wants us to have those close relationships so we can help each other share burdens; share joys; share triumphs; share in life over all.
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24
I am thankful for my close friends. I am thankful that I do get to see them, even if but once a year. God gave them to me and I embrace that.
It is bittersweet in that I have them in my life (which is sweet and wonderful) but sad that they are far from me (bitter and sad).
