What is a true friend?
Facebook has allowed us to create a world where we can have thousands of “friends” from all over the world. In fact, most people who frequently use Facebook have more FB friends than FTF (face to face) friends. We spend time online connecting with some of these friends, but mostly we peruse our news feed to see their latest posts. We see, of course, pictures of their families, cute little puppy videos they have uploaded, and sometimes an inspirational quote. But we also see rants and sarcastic comments and thinly veiled threats. If you look long enough, among these many “friends” you will find something that disturbs you or makes you uneasy. You begin to wonder, “Whom is she talking about? Is she making that comment in reference to me?” We get sucked right into the drama that is no drama and we spend our lives stalking their pages to ease our minds. It ruins us. In Hamlet, Polonius advises his son: “Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.” Those friends we have who have proven, over time, to be true friends, those are the ones we need to hold on to. Sometimes it pays to cull those Facebook friends list. If we are mindful of whom we choose to be in on our “friends” list, we will see that the ones we have chosen are tried and true. Jesus is such a Friend. He is one who “sticks closer than a brother.” With a Friend like Him, what more do we need?
And we pray:
Lord, help me to be mindful of the people I allow into my life. Help me not to bring drama and angst into my heart and my home. I ask that You help me to appreciate the good friends I have and that You will send people my way who will strengthen my walk and encourage me in You. I thank You for being The best friend I could ever have. Help me find friends who are more like You. Amen.
Amen!