In our lives we come across individuals from different walks of life, different backgrounds, different languages, different characters, different principles and values. Some impress us with their behaviour, while some don’t. Some influence us, while some just don’t seem to have any effect on us. Some are meant to stay, while some are meant only for a season to be washed away by the wave of time. Some can build the character, while some can destroy the individual in you. Some are trustworthy, while some are crooked.
Friends play an important role in one’s life, by encouraging, motivating, moulding, loving, understanding, caring, and supporting the individual. Words cannot express this relationship that friends share because it’s special. There are innumerable quotes about friendship and the best one is found in Proverbs 18:24 which say “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” A friend is someone with whom you can be yourself. Your top secrets are shared without the faintest doubt that your friend would announce it to the rest of the world. A friend is your mirror when you need it. And guess that’s why someone had written “Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you, who you are”.
Not all acquaintances would be called special because it’s only those few special friends whom you hold close to your heart. No matter what they do, you promise to stick by them to the very end. They are that someone who is always true to his/her word. Someone who has assured that he/she won’t turn from you and on whom you have put your faith in. He/she will never let you down. “A really close friendship doesn’t happen only of happiness...It travels a long way through misunderstandings, stupid fights, teasings, hesitations, consoling words, and more....Takes time to build the kind of trust and respect which makes friendship an everlasting one...”
There was this really short period (just 2 weeks) in my life when there were few things that took an unexpected turn and left me completely stranded. I was left all alone with absolutely no friend to confide to. Or at least I THOUGHT I WAS ALL ALONE. Coz the ones whom I was close to were mad at me, the other few I knew were ignoring me (or I thought they were coz they never answered my calls) and another few I myself was ignoring out of the fear that I might hurt them like the way I unknowingly hurt few individuals. I was in this muddle of doubts, diffidence and insecurity. This experience indeed left a scar on me that, I still find it so difficult to completely trust any person, out of the fear that when you give them the space, they can get so close to you, make you dependant on them, and suddenly leave you unexpectedly all alone with all your promises of friendship shattered.
But I sure should thank all these friends for having left me alone all at the same time; coz it was because of them I renewed or rather rejuvenated my relationship with a true friend - Jesus Christ. It was because of that particular situation I had a closer walk with Him and realised that I had missed confiding even the little things to this ‘bestest’ friend all these days. When I was lonely, He filled me with His presence. I sure know He was there listening to all my silly mumbles. Whenever I cried by myself, He filled me with His peace. I know I’ve done so many things that would have upset Him but He has a forgiving heart and a forgetting mind. He has drawn me closer to Him than before, caressing me and encouraging me whenever I needed it. He has been there whenever I needed Him. I don’t have the problem of un-answered calls or no sms, coz I know I just need to talk to Him whenever I want to and He always listens to me. This situation has made me a tougher person and yet it’s humbled me to realise that I’m just a sinner who has found grace in the Lord’s eyes. I’m privileged to be chosen as His friend. I’ve never experienced this before but it sure was special and I know this friendship with my Saviour for sure will last forever.
I’d like to now tell those individuals who were part of this particular short period that I’m sorry when I hurt you, but I do know I never meant to do so. It was all meant to be, as a part of God’s perfect plan. If you ignored me, if you were hurt because of me, if I ignored you and thus hurt you, if you were forced to say goodbye to me or I said it to you, I’m helpless at this point coz all I know is that He made it happen so that I could know Him better. At this juncture I’m reminded of this song...
” Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can’t believe the hopes He’s granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.”
“God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves His purpose through them all.”- 1 Corinthians 12:6. I thank all of you for being there and being a blessing in my life in whatever ways you had to be.
I really don’t know why I’m writing this blog but I’m just listening to the voice inside that’s asked me to do this. I’d like to end this blog by saying the exact words which was told to me once by one special friend, “Sweet Friend, I’m with you in whatever you do. Don’t know why I pulled this conversation. Love you so much. God bless you. Have a nice day!!!”
