Enjoying Friends 

"Friends are an oasis on life's island." -author unknownI awoke today to find an email from a friend. Numerous times I began my day in this way, with a cup of coffee in one hand, and my computer mouse in the other, but this morning it really dawned on me how enriching friendships can be to our life.How nice it is to know that someone thinks enough of you to want to share their thoughts with you. What a good feeling it is to see that another human being is praying for us, and wishing us the best life has to offer.

As the above quote conveys, like an oasis, godly friendship can assist our life by quenching our need for social interaction, which, in essence, is the connecting of two individuals who enjoy and care for each-other. A healthy friendship may also assist by providing the individuals with a support system of sorts, and when one friend is in danger of falling, the other person is there to gently guide him back to safety. Friends should be a safety net, not a threat.

While some relationships can be draining and emotionally or spiritually unhealthy, it is important we chose our friends wisely. Friendship should be edifying, and allow both individuals to seek higher levels of godliness.

During my numerous years on the Internet, I have had the honor of making several good friends who have made lasting impressions both on my life, and in my spiritual walk.  It took time and effort to sift through the weeds in order to find the flowers, but the sweet fragrance of true brotherhood shined through. I use the term "brotherhood" because if a friendship is an honor, and not a displeasure to God, then can not friendship be likened unto the uniting of brothers and sisters who are all members of the family of God?

I say, "yes," and this is why I encourage you today to reevaluate relationships in your life, and to ask yourself if they are drawing you nearing or farther from the Lord. While you are considering that, won't you also ponder the importance of a relationship with your Creator? If we desire healthy associations who we can regard as brothers and sisters, then let us first belong to the same family. The body of Christ.

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr