One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there
is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
‘You can choose your friends, but you sho’ can’t choose your family . . .’ is a quote from Harper Lee in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and how true it is for most of us. Our place in this special unit called “family”- that place we grew up in - is where God meant for us to be. But in most families there may be a character or two that it seems impossible to connect with, and we may wonder sometimes how we can be related for that matter, for it seems that we are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum! It is then we need to consider that we are part of a bigger “family” - God’s family. When we recognize this, how we appreciate the gift God has given us not only in the relatives that are ours, but in the gift He has given us in our friends.
True, good friends are there for us no matter what, and they have chosen to be with us, not because they have to be, but because they want to be. They bless our lives and our spirits with hope and encouragement by
their actions toward us, which reflect the love of Christ. These wonderful people have been placed in our lives to help in some way to guide us on our journey toward Him. God has provided them to permeate our souls and spirits with courage and optimism - to balance us - knowing our particular need. With a good friend there
are no strings attached. Somehow it seems so easy to accept them for who they are, and to appreciate them.
In our families we often make assumptions about one another, with expectations that are sometimes too great for the other to live up to, and often we take them for granted; with resulting hurt feelings and created barriers.
These relationships at times may seem to require a lot of work, whereas the relationship with a friend may seem to flow effortlessly. What a blessing it is though, when family members are our dear “friends” also! There is an old saying, “Treat your family like friends, and your friends like family!”1 Is it really that simple? It surely is, if we are considerate toward our families!
And isn’t it funny, but with prayer and introspection, our eyes are opened to see that these characters in our families are not so unfamiliar! We begin to notice that those annoying traits which seemed so alien, actually are present in ourselves as well! We may or may not have chosen our families, but we know God had a hand in it; and He chose our friends also. Isn’t there a special feeling about being chosen? And isn’t this what God has done for us? He has chosen us in love and friendship! How awesome.
Lord, thank you for my family and my dear friends. With them, you make my life complete. And God, thank you too for choosing me.
1. Anonymous
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson