The Kind Of Friend I Want To Be

What kind of relationships do you actually have?

I mean the real ones. The friends, family, coworkers, children, neighbors and everyone else in your circle.

When you slow down and think about the people in your life, who are the ones that feel close, and who are the ones you hope will become closer?

I found myself thinking about this after a Christmas party Wendy and I recently hosted. I love every person who walked through our door. I even missed a few who could not make it. But afterwards, I sat there wondering what kind of relationships I truly have with the people in my life.

Some deep. Some just beginning. Some still forming. It made me take inventory.

I like deep conversations. Not all of them need to be heavy. There is something refreshing about goofing off, laughing until your stomach hurts, and not taking anything too seriously. Even that can be a gift when you have the right people around you.

But I also love hearing someone’s struggle and sharing mine. Somehow the honesty opens a door to real help, real encouragement and even real prayer.

Scripture tells us, “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NCV).

No one should do life alone. Not one of us.

Do you ever pray with your friends, children, spouse or even the people you work with? I’m not talking about a quick prayer before a meeting or at the end of a phone call. I mean ten to twenty minutes of taking someone straight to God, to Christ, to the Holy Spirit. Those moments form a kind of connection that nothing else on earth can imitate.

I love relationships that hold me accountable, help me grow, point me in the right direction, correct me when needed, and inspire me.

I want people around me I can laugh with, cry with, and pray with. I want to be light and fun in the right times, but life absolutely calls for heavy moments, and when those come, you need a real person who will sit with you and stand with you.

So what about your relationships? Are they building you up? Growing you? Strengthening you? Are they fun? Are they honest? And most of all, are they centered around Christ?

I think they should be. Scripture says, “Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I command you to do.” (John 15:12 NCV).

Real relationships always find their way back to love, and Jesus is the One who teaches us how.

And here is the part I never want to forget. Christ is the Friend who stepped into my sin and paid the full debt with His own suffering. He redeemed me, healed me, and saved me. He made me whole.

“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NCV).

That is the foundation of every relationship I want to build. A Savior who carried my pain, bought my freedom and invited me into something better than life alone.

Because of His sacrifice, every relationship is an opportunity to reflect the grace He poured over me. Man, I was a mess and not looking for Christ. It was actually my brother Rick who introduced me to Jesus.

Every friend is someone who needs the hope He gives. Every moment is a chance to bring someone closer to Him. Christ truly will improve your life. He has mine, and so many I call friends.

So to my brother, and all my friends who walk with Christ with me - thank you and I hope I can be there for you when you need me.

LORD, grow my relational circle. Help me be a good friend to my wife, to my children and to anyone who needs a reliable and loving friend. IJNIP amen ♥️