Some very good friends just stayed with us for four nights. We loved having them here and have missed them so much since they moved away over four years ago. They live in far-off steamy Florida where people have swimming pools, but unfortunately sometimes the pools are visited by alligators. But I digress.

The thing I love about true friendships is that no matter how long since you’ve spent time together, you automatically fall into that relaxed, “we’re family” kind of relationship. You know things about one another, you’ve shared experiences in the past and you just pick up where you were the last time you were together. We laughed and shared our hearts, we joked and prayed together. We had a really good time.

What is the value of such friendships? I say they’re worth their weight in gold. They don’t happen often and when you have them you should hang on tight. The best friendships are those that allow real give and take, expect honesty and yet are filled with grace.

Jesus speaks about friendship in John 15. He begins by giving the beautiful illustration of a vine tended by the Father. Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches, receiving our very lifeblood by our relationship to Him. We’re to abide, He says. We’re to live in His strength and receive our nourishment from Him. When we do that, though we’re expected to obey, we’re not His slaves, but He calls us friends.

Just think what it means to be friends with God. All the good things we enjoy with our earthly friends can be enjoyed with the creator of all. We can trust and laugh and enjoy one another. We can count on Him and be honest with Him. I’m convinced that God gives us the gift of friendship here on earth to help us better understand our relationship with Him.

Who are the friends you can count on? Who do you trust and confide in? Who loves you in spite of bad days or disappointing actions? I hope you can count at least several people who provide that kind of faithful friendship, but even more, I hope you know that the Lord will be your best and most faithful friend. He wants us to abide– draw our strength for living from our friendship with Him.