Friendship And Perspective

Isn’t it funny how we remember things?
Especially when they are put to music, they seem to be etched in our mind.
We learn our ABC’s with a song…the number of days in a month with a poem.

I made up a song for my children so they could learn the days of the week.
It is forever captured in family videos.
They are so proud of themselves when they finally learned to say them in order.

Mnemonic device…any learning technique that aids information retention.

As I was growing up, my mother used mnemonic devices to teach me character traits.
I still remember most of them, and passed many of them on to my children.

I went out to seek a friend, but couldn’t find one there.
Then, I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere.

Another favorite of mine:

Two men were behind prison bars.
They both looked out.
One saw mud.
The other stars.

Friendship and perspective.
The two go hand in hand.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
(Romans 12:3)

We tend to view ourselves through the lens of another.
What do our parents think of us?
What do our friends think of us?
What do our co-workers think of us?
What does our spouse think of us?

Only one lens matters.
What does God think of us?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Seeing ourselves through God’s lens…holy and dearly loved…enables us to clothe ourselves with other Godly virtues that actually make us a better friend.

You can tell a lot about a person when you look at their friends.
Choosing friends is so important…even as adults.
Friends can lift you up and encourage you, or they can bring you down.

We all know people who are joyful…they love the Lord and love His Word.
Then, all of a sudden, they are in a relationship, and they change.
They no longer like the things they once liked.
Their relationship with God grows lukewarm.
They are being pulled down.

As parents, we can step in and guide our children.
We can help them make better choices in their friendships.
As adults, we tend to rationalize.

I can be a good influence on them.
I am not with them that much...only socially…every once in a while.
Yet, we feel ourselves slipping.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
(James 4:4)

For ourselves and for our children, we need good mirrors.
We want to look into the eyes of another and see ourselves the way God sees us.
Only another believer, can help us do that.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world.
We rub elbows with all sorts of people every day.
That is what God intended.
They need to see Him lived out in our lives.

We need fortification, however.
We need a Barnabas…an encourager. (Acts 4:36)
We need a Jonathan…a strengthener.

I especially like what God’s Word says about the friendship between David and Jonathan.
And Saul’s son, Jonathan, went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
(1 Samuel 23:16)

Helped him find strength in God.
Oh…to be that kind of friend.

We are not in this world for ourselves.
We are in this world for Him.
What kind of friend are we?
Do we help others find strength in God?

We need to be a Barnabas.
We need to be a Jonathan.

Friendship and perspective.
Going out to be a friend…finding that friends are everywhere.
Looking out…and seeing stars instead of mud.
Friendship…from God’s perspective.

You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

 

 

 

2 responses to “Friendship And Perspective”

1. Thank u so much for your writings . They have helped me as I go thru a divorce. I need god in my life now and forever .

   Reply

   • Patricia,
     I praise God that you found this blog and that the words have blessed you and encouraged you…and showed you how much you need Him!
     We all “need God in our life…now and forever.”
     I am delighted that you have come to know that truth.
     Hold onto Him…Stay in His Word.
     Know How much He loves you!
     Know He will never leave you or forsake you! (Joshua 1:5)
     I will be praying for you.
     Gina

     Reply