On Friends, Loyalty, Loss and Your Best One Ever..

I'm not perfect, one, because I hate driving and will likely wiggle out of volunteering for my rightful turn on any given road trip..., and two, there's more, I'm sure : ) but when you ask my friends what they prize most about me - it's usually something along the lines of how I am trustworthy and cray - stopping at nothing to make them laugh. I do prize loyalty and I am one to keep secrets..  so naturally, I assume everyone has the same morality system. A heart share is obviously confidential.. I thought. 



Have you ever been too trusting at times? 




Life has a way of showing you who your friends are. Time, circumstances, celebrations, complications... True friends are often revealed in the worst and darkest of times..

True friends know what to do with you when you've hit rock bottom - whether in word or in deed - they handle you carefully, not withholding truth or support, but certainly never exploiting your deepest sorrow for their own revelry or insensitive chatter.

As I've gotten older, it's become easier to recognize the the good ones..

I've become grateful for the friends who take my pieces and keep them safe. The ones who don't put them, broken, on display, to untrusted others... who don't rush to size me up and present their findings to a choice few.. who don't consider my most transparent musings, fair game to any ear as if it were entertainment and not almost - sacred. 

Be grateful for the ones who speak the truth in love, to you, for your benefit.    
Beware of the friend who diagnoses you publicly when you're nowhere to be found...
 

I once heard that a true friend will sing your song back to you when you don't remember the words. Are you that one? Or are you one who would say, "Oh my. Did you hear? She forgot the lyrics! What a shame.." 

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread,

 has lifted his heel against me."

(Psalm 41:9)

Don't be that one. Be a good one.

I have also been told that you don't tell everybody everything - but later learned the hurt experienced when someone you least expected ends up in the pile with "everybody."

It's just a reminder. That some people can only handle your milk -- and it's okay that way. 

Give God your meat. He'll take it neatly packed or slaughtered. Doesn't matter.
People -- even the best of them, are destined to disappoint.
But God is not, so turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Above all, keep loving. Almost like you've never known hurt. 

Pray for discernment and choose better next time. 

And use wisdom, because some things really should only be between you and HIM.

 

I have been blessed to have some absolutely wonderful friends - anytime friends, the gift kind of friend. We've been through the trenches, but our truths are no secret. Not perfect, but we'd quicker opt to pray for one another, admonish and love on one another than discuss one another and hide our help in the thick of the night when the sun is slow to shine.... Our iron is sharpened and our lives are enriched because we've been blessed to cross paths. 

True, there are reason, season and lifetime people.  True, there are relationships that last and those that are lessons, but don't let the lessons scar you for life. 

Remember, that being alone at times isn't so bad. You learn to walk with God. You learn to depend on His friendship. You find out you can trust Him. And when God does send lifers - they'll meet your desire for earthly companionship in the healthiest of ways because your need for the TRUEST fill has already been met. 

There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. #JESUS

If you're in a hurting place right now, be encouraged. I'm praying for you.

*Scripture References*

 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, 

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

(1 John 4:7)

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

 (Luke 6:31)

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy"

(Proverbs 27:5-6)

"There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."

(Proverbs 8:24)

  

 

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

 (1 Peter 4:8-10)