The Gift of Friends

The Christmas cards have started to arrive. I love seeing the photos of my beautiful friends and family. I am so thankful for the friendships we have made this year. I am thankful that we have been reunited with family over the past year. It is a so nice to look at the photos and be thankful for friends and family. Over the past year, we have met some wonderful friends, and I am so thankful for them. Our kids get along, and the parents get along. It fills a little place in my heart, that I didn’t know needed to be filled. I am very thankful that God gave us good friends.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.
–Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)

The bible advises us not to abandon a valued friend. Good friends are a rare gift from God. They are to be treasured and valued, the bible says “Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family”. Once you have good friends, do not go looking for other counsel. God wants these friends in your life.

I see this interesting verse that says, “do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.” God understands complicated family relationships and sometimes even those related by blood are not close to your heart. This must be part of God’s plan for us to grow. God wants us to make good friends and rely on them.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
–Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)

When you find your good friends, keep them close. Good friends can help you grow and make you a better person.

As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
–Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

With Christmas approaching, it is a season of giving and joy. We have so much to be thankful for, and I thank God for the gift of friends.