Friends

Confession: I sometimes watch Friends reruns. I started watching it from time to time during a period in my life when the church was disappointing me and I was seeing Christians behave in ways that looked nothing like what I saw in Scripture. I have always believed that friends stick by each other through disappointments, failures, and unkind words. You forgive, you overlook faults and bad moods and when necessary, you confront. Yet, when I was struggling and hurting, I was judged and kicked to the curb. It was baffling. So during that time, as I watched the six TV friends relate to each other, I saw more love and long-suffering and forgiveness than I was seeing in some of the Christians in my life. Now that is not to say that Friends is a morally upright show...obviously not. But I did see a portrayal of a community of friends with sticking power. No back door. Abundant grace. Forgiveness. And I wanted that. (And just for the record, Chandler is my favorite TV Friend...sarcasm can be quite endearing)

And then God took us to a different place and surrounded us with true friends, some old and some new, who love and forgive and believe the best of us. Today I am just feeling profoundly thankful for the friends that I have...men and women who I know will always love me and be there when I need them, no matter what. And I love them. I am the richest girl in the world! Take a minute and thank God for the true friends in your life.