What does friend mean? According to the dictionary a friend is someone who is attached to another by feelings of affection; someone who gives assistance; someone who gives support; someone who is there for you in time of need. Who wants friends? Who wants to be a friend? Who needs friends? I believe that everyone would answer, “I do!” “I do!”
Fur Babies – Furry Friends
In today’s society, more and more people are leaning towards 4-legged friends. It is amazing to see and read the experiences of having “fur babies,” “furry friends,” etc. While it seems that these “friends” give pleasure and support, they cannot meet all the needs that a “person” friend can give. By the way, we do not have a furry friend but are happy for those who do.
Friends Everyone Needs
Mentor (teacher) Friend – A Bible example of mentor friend is Paul. He mentored Timothy as he said, “I charge thee (Timothy) therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ… Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Everyone needs a friend like Paul who will give godly wisdom and counsel with helpful Bible principles and Scriptures. A mentor friend will be truthful with you, whether you like it or not. This friend will help you do right even when you do not want to do it and give you counsel that will help you stay close to the Lord. Others may give you what they think you want, but a mentor friend will give you what you need. Everyone needs a friend to mentor, to help them to better serve the Lord. A good mentor helps you respond correctly to circumstances and situations in life and leads you to depend on the Word of God. Eventually you, yourself will become a mentor friend to others. My early mentor friend was Dr. Cathy Rice of the Bill Rice Ranch. She taught me much about being a Biblical wife, and gave me a heart for the Deaf. Today, my mentor is my husband, Ted. Every day from his morning devotions and Bible study, he shares with me the Bible truths and wisdom he has learned. (By the way, he is the source for this article.) I am thankful for these mentors.
Faithful Friend – A Bible example of a faithful friend is Luke. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world… Only Luke is with me.” Everyone needs a faithful friend who will be with you in times of need. Paul said, “Only Luke is with me.” Who is with you? There will be times that friends like Demas will forsake you, but the faithful friends like Luke will remain. You need a faithful friend to whom you can share your personal feelings and problems in confidence. You need someone who will listen and be faithful as a caring friend. Everyone needs a faithful friend. My faithful friends, to name a few, are Tabitha, Diane and Louise. My desire is that others can call me a faithful friend.
Beloved Young Friend – A Bible example of a beloved young friend is Timothy. Paul wrote, “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son… I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day… I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Tim. 1:2-6). Everyone needs a young friend to personally teach, train, and invest in. You need to invest in a young friend and help them make a difference for Christ and in their lives. God has made us to share with others helpful things we have learned from life. We need to invest in a “beloved” young friend so that they will have the experience to invest in others. These young friends are all around us, perhaps sitting in your church and maybe even in your home. Everyone needs a “beloved young friend.” My beloved young friend is Nicole.
“Refreshing Friend” – A Bible example of a refreshing friend is Onesiphorus. Paul wrote, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: …he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus” (2 Tim. 1:16-18). When Paul was in prison facing death, Onesiphorus often refreshed him. While, hopefully, we will not experience being in prison, we will face times when we need a refreshing friend. When we are discouraged, we need a friend to refresh us. When we are suffering from loss or have received some bad news about health or finances, we need a refreshing friend. At times, we need friends who will give hospitality, kindness, and encouragement. That refreshment can come in the form of a text, a hug, a card, a visit, a walk, a chat, a phone call, your presence, etc. Recently, when my sister passed away, a refreshing friend drove 24 hours round-trip to spend 30 minutes with me. I will never forget that refreshing time. Everyone needs a “refreshing friend” with an uplifting spirit of encouragement. Do you have a refreshing friend? Will you be a refreshing friend to others? Some of my refreshing friends are, Jim & Terry, Pam & Calvin, Jackie, Mary, Sharon, and Christine.
Ask God for Friends
We should pray that God will give us these types of friends and that we will become these types of friends to others. You cannot “make” people be your friend, but you can be a friend. It is the Lord who favors us with these special friends. They will help us and be “there” for us. They will help complete and fulfill our lives. Everyone needs friends and everyone needs to be a friend.
“I had a broken heart to mend,
God mended it by sending a friend.”
– JoAnn Whitaker
This is written because I care… Carlene
