“The righteous choose their friends carefully….”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:26‬a NIV

We all have that one friend, you know? The one who knows you better than you know yourself. The one who will take your hand and lead you. The one who is there for you no matter what. The one person who chose you.

‬‬“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A friend who tells you the truth even though it will hurt. A friend who gives their opinion when you ask, knowing it is not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. They would do anything to protect you, defend you, and support you, no matter what.

When you are happy, they are happy with you. The rejoice in your accomplishments. The celebrate with you in victories, big and small. They laugh at you as you laugh at them, and you laugh till you cry, together.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As time passes and your lives change, they are there. There for the milestones; The graduations, new apartments, empty nests and distance. The weddings, funerals, and hospital stays. The years pass quickly, and suddenly you feel more aches when the weather changes. Looking at each other, you compliment the silver that has appeared to crown your heads, and you laugh.

I believe God gives us these friends, in all their complexity, and simplicity to reveal to us, in human form, the love He has for us. To remind us the He is our best friend, always there, holding our hand right now, and for always. Dear friend, you truly show me Jesus.