Exploring the gift of Friendship
Much of the charm and joy of friendship is that we do not cause it to happen. It is pure gift. Sometimes it develops out of a common interest, sometimes out of a common need, sometimes out of sheer mystery!
Often it happens just when the time is right. I don’t think it is a random accident that people appear in our lives. They can be there for a reason or a season or forever.
Sam Keen in The Passionate Life says, “...the notion of chance, coincidence, or even synchronicity were threadbare philosophical garments constructed in a hurry to cover an embarrassing vulnerability in the armor of thinkers who are determined to be grown-up and reasonable at all costs. After all, “co-incidence” only means that two things happen at once - or come together. And coming together may be as easily a sign of a mystical harmony as a result of cosmic carelessness. If we remain at the level of experience, wild synchronicities seem the result of some special grace.”
So then, do we enter into intimacy with others - expect of course for family - by our own choice? Or do your thoughts on this line up more with C.S. Lewis who says, “Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others.”
I invite you to spend some time pondering your friendships and writing about them. How have these friendships come into your life? Where they for a reason, or a season, or do you see some of them lasting a lifetime? Do you see them as choices you have made or as gifts of grace? If they are gift then how do you show your appreciation? How could you enjoy these gifts of friendship more?
I close with a quote from Dorthy Day (1897-1980) from the book Soul Weavings edited by Lyn Klug.
“Such friendships the Lord has sent us in this life. God is good. We can’t thank Him enough. Thank you, thank you, Lord, for everything, but friendships especially. We are not alone.”
Joy,