Friends – Who needs them? We do…

I have numerous friends; in fact I have more friends now than at any point in my life. One of my sons was visiting recently and commented that he felt like he was in Grand Central Station there were so many people coming by my house and calling on the telephone. I like having friends. The Bible encourages us to have friends in more than one passage.

In regards to making friends, the Bible states the obvious, in order to have friends one must themselves be friendly. Unfortunately people are not as friendly as they once were, especially in the cities. Some seem just plain mean. There are still some rural areas where everyone driving down the road waves to each other. I had a friend in south Georgia that I used to hunt with that was so used to waving to virtually everyone he saw that one day he passed a dog on the side of the road and actually through up his hand and waved. I still kid him about that. I wonder what he would do in New York City???

I attended a funeral one time and hardly anyone came, in fact there were not enough pallbearers. I thought this was one of the saddest sights that I have ever seen. Imagine living your entire life and dying and aside from a few relatives no one attended your funeral. How lonely that life must have been.

We live in a busy world with everyone going and coming. Most folks that I talk to do not even know the neighbors on either side of them. I think this is really quite odd. During the hurricanes I was receiving hourly reports on the condition of my property and e-mailed digital photos from nearly every neighbor I have. They keep an eye on my place for me and I do likewise for them when they are gone. I keep them supplied in fresh fish and they do things for me. I like the fellowship more than anything. I do not have to go shrimping, lobstering, or fishing alone unless I want some solitude.

I have heard that it is difficult to find friends. I do not believe it is difficult at all provided one is friendly themselves just as the Bible instructs. Some folks only want friends that are similar to them in finance, religion, likes and dislikes, social status, etc. I find that boring. I have friends from all walks of life; (much more interesting that way). I try to be friendly even to complete strangers. It is amazing how many people I meet in an average week.

Do you want more friends? Set a goal for yourself. First get a notebook out and write down the names of every friend that you have. Not too impressive? Determine that you will be friendly and outgoing and TALK to those folks that you encounter. Set a goal to make a new friend every week this year. Imagine having 52 friends in addition to those you have now!

One word of caution; the Bible warns us to avoid the wicked in our friend-making endeavors. It is fine to be an acquaintance and to witness to them, but beware of forming friendships with those who might just lead you astray…

Proverbs 13:20
He that walks with wise men
shall be wise; but a companion
of fools will be destroyed.