A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17
I’m sure you’ve caught yourself in a situation where time continued to fly, and tasks continued to mount. It just seemed like there wasn’t enough time to complete all you needed to complete. The older I get, the more I understand that time never stops and tasks never end. But in the mess of it all, I think it is a necessary idea to stop. Yep. Stop.
While tasks are essential and often necessary, our closest relationships are most important, and we should value them by spending time with those significant people in our lives.
Defining True Friends
Who are your true friends? I think you know, but it always helps to reflect on those people who are “your” people. Who can you count on when all seems to fall apart? Who encourages you when you make horrible decisions and reap the suffering? Do you have friends or a spouse that overlooks your faults and spends time with you anyway?
I looked at the mirror the other day and wondered to myself, “Self, why would anyone want to spend time with me?” I wasn’t saying this to feel sorry for myself, but I’m not sure that I sometimes want to hang around myself.
I know you’ve felt the same way, too!
That’s why it’s essential to understand the significant people are in your life. Have you figured this one out? Write their names down on a sheet of paper. You should only have a couple of names. Even if you have one, it’s fine. One is enough.
Encouraging True Friends
One way to grow your relationship with your true friends is to defend them when they need it. So often, we become so self-centered that we fail to see that other people have needs. When they get into a difficult situation, it is crucial to defend them and help them through the difficult times.
Now I don’t mean to put on the boxing gloves and defend their honor by punching someone in the face. Instead, I mean we should support their choices and actions and build their esteem. I’m also not talking about giving out participation trophies. I’m saying that when they make good decisions, help them to feel good about those decisions. This intentional affirmation will go a long way to helping them to continue to make good decisions.
Everyone needs a defender. Everyone needs an encourager. When is the last time you encouraged your friends?
Delight in Your Friends
Once you figure out who you can count on in good situations and bad situations, it is important to enjoy spending time with them. You don’t want to spend time with people who bring you down or hurt your mental and emotional health. And as you grow from a teenager to an adult, it is important to realize that you can choose who you hang around. So hang around true friends!
Some people are just not good for you. So once you find that one friend, spend time with them and develop a relationship that many never have in life. Enjoy the friendship. Treasure it. Delight in it. True friends only come around once or twice in a lifetime. Cherish them.
And…if you are fortunate enough to have a spouse who is your significant person, and they should be, then you are blessed beyond words. Treasure the time and treasure the experiences. You will make each other stronger, and your love will only grow.