Friends are important in our lives. Friends are the family we choose in life. You may be like me somehow, having friends come and go throughout your life. If you are young, you may not have experienced losing a friend over time. Perhaps you’ve lost touch, or some conflict separated you. Can you recall your very first friend’s name?  

Do you have a high school friend that you still connect with even though there are miles between you now? Maybe a college friend?

How about your place of worship? Do you have a group you belong to and have friendships there?

Friends walk along with you during good and bad times. Perhaps you tell them your deepest concerns that you wouldn’t share with anyone else knowing that friend keeps your confidences.

Maybe you even have a friend who can’t answer you but is there for all your ups and downs and shows their love through their actions.

I made many friends while my husband was in the military (and yes, we still stay in touch). I also made friends while we RV’d for thirteen years (yes, we’re still in touch), and now I have friends through my writing group.

This most recent group of friends has been there for advice, encouragement and one or two have my confidences. Romance writing came to me later in life, but I find richness in those author friends who have shared their years of writing experiences. Yes, I’m still learning.

Friends keep us on track, keep us honest, encourage us, pray for us, offer advice, and listen when we need them.

Think about your friend(s) today and offer them an encouraging word or ask them out to coffee or lunch, maybe get in touch with one you’ve neglected to contact lately.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another—…” Heb  10: 24-25 (NIV)

Answers to last month’s Independence questions: Stamp Act: C; Letters from a Farmer: B; Shots first fired: D; United: A; 1^st of original 13: C