We All Need Friends

Tami is about halfway through a three-week business trip. This is one of those trips that she takes every year, but I still haven’t gotten used to her being gone that long. The funny thing is that she is only about 30 miles from our house, but I can’t just jump into the car and go see her because of her crazy work schedule. 

As I’ve been thinking about it this week I understand that I really enjoy her company and the relationship we have together. Relationships are important in life; we all need other people. I need those relationships where I can just relax and have some fun, relationships where I can open up my heart and let someone know what I’m really going through, relationships that encourage me in life, and relationships that help me in my spiritual growth as a Christian. Tami is the special person that God has brought into my life who can fill all of those roles, but for me to be healthy in every area of my life, I have to have a lot more friendships than just Tami. The question I have is: where do I find those relationships?

he greatest friendships and relationships that I’ve had my whole life have come through the church. I’ve had buddies that I’ve played golf, attended sporting events, gone on cruises and vacations, enjoyed dinner, and studied the Bible with. I’m not meant to close myself off from the world, but I need to understand that I need the strong influence of growing Christians in my life. This is where most of my closest friendships should come from because these are friends who share the goals that I have for my life.

I’m not saying that I don’t have friendships with those who do not share my faith—I’m to be a witness to them—but I have to achieve a balance of those who understand my spiritual struggles as well as those I want to show the love of Christ to. Tami is my closest friend and I thank the Lord for her. Many of you reading this are dear friends who have impacted me in so many positive ways, and I hope that I am impacting your life. We all need relationships, and if you are battling loneliness I encourage you to get involved in a church and build some friendships.