Friendship’s Bond by Martin Wiles

“If you don’t like the weather, just hang around a while and it will change,” my friend said. And it did.

Our vacation in Colorado was sprinkled with rollercoaster weather. Mild sunny days materialized into warmer than normal afternoons. Who would have thought we would need sunscreen in March? Two days later, temperatures hovered in the mid 40’s and struggled to reach the mid 30’s the following day as snow fell gently across the open fields and covered the nearby mountains. The day we left temperatures returned to normal.

Friendships can be torn and twisted by gossip, unfaithfulness and neglect but they shouldn’t be. Jonathan clung to his friend even when it involved his father’s misunderstanding. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD (I Samuel 20:42).

David and Jonathan’s friendship was closer than that between a man and woman. When Jonathan’s father King Saul rebuked him for giving the kingdom to David, Jonathan endured his anger along with possible ridicule from kingdom residents to stand by his friend.

Friendships must sometimes endure periods of separation. David was forced to leave his friend to escape Saul’s murderous intent. My wife and I were separated from our friends when they moved to Colorado. Some say long distance relationships can’t survive; I beg to differ. Email, texting, skyping, cell phones and the internet make instant communication possible. Even when not available, pen, paper and snail mail still function. However bonding happens, it’s just important that it does. Build your friendships with a faithful presence in the good and bad times.

Prayer: Thank You Father for the friends You bring into our lives. May we treat them with respect, faithfulness and love.

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