Celebrating Friendship
(A reprise of an article from a few years ago)
I’ve wanted to write another article about being a good steward of friendship because I believe friends are very vital to a healthy and happy life. Looking through my files, I found this article I wrote a few years ago for the Window and decided to share it again. If you remember it, I’m impressed! I hope you enjoy it the second time around!
Friends are an important part of our well-being. We all have basic needs for community and for the fellowship of others. Friends help us to grow, comfort us in times of need, and laugh with us or help us laugh when we become too serious. Different types of friends help us explore the different needs in our life. Every friend gives us something unique and adds something special to our existence. We don’t usually think of friendship as a gift we must steward but, rather, think of it as a benefit for ourselves.
If you were to ask just about anyone at St. James’ what makes them feel good about St. James’, I’d be willing to bet that one of the top two responses would be “the people”. We are all important to the Lord Jesus, and we are all important to each other as well.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:12-15)
Cherish and nurture your friends at St. James’ and in your daily lives. Like a garden that needs care and nourishment to grow, so do our friendships. Cultivate new friendships. When you see someone on Sunday morning you don’ know, introduce yourself and invite them for a cup of coffee in the Parish Hall. Remember to wear your nametag on Sunday mornings.
Friends are special because they make us glad that we are who we are. Be a good steward of friendship, remember your friends and don’t take them for granted. Thank the Lord and thank them for being your friend. And I challenge you to welcome a new friend into your life next Sunday morning!
~Gail Blalock, Stewardship Chair