I recently had a birthday and part of my day was spent reading the birthday wishes that I received on Facebook. I thought about each person and how I had come to know them. Some were old high school or college friends. Some were accumulated at different jobs I’ve had throughout my life. Many are church friends, and many others are my writer friends.
Some of my Facebook friends, I have never met in person but have become friends with them through common interest such as a writers group. I have gotten to know them through what they are willing to share on social media. Many of them, I know their dog’s name, their kid’s achievements and their favorite food. I know what gets them riled up and what they are passionate about. Friends come in all forms and from many various places. Of course, I have friends that are not on Facebook.
Ad executive and author, Lois Wyse said, “A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” Each friend that we have is linked to our past. I certainly wouldn’t want to think of a future without my friends. It is true that they, even the ones we can act a little crazy with, keep us sane in our insane world.
Take stock of your friends today. An easy way to do this is to go through your social media friends list and think about when they stepped into your life. Try to recall a special memory that you have of each of them. Thank God for the gift of friendship and that he has put those special people in your life.
What do your friend’s think when they recall memories of you? Do you bring a smile to their face when they think about you? Have you lifted a burden or shared a joy with them? Do they know that you are there for them? Do they know that you appreciate the part they play in your life? Let’s strive to be the type of person that others feel blessed to call friend.
 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) (ESV)