I had this friend who I liked for a very long time. She always dated dumb boys. I wasn't jealous. It just wasn't cool to watch her get played by guys who were actually my friends. I know it was weird. But in  junior high, I wasn't exactly a nice guy. If I was a bad guy, my friends were also just as bad. The guys she dated were seniors and since I was in the same grade as she was, I guess I wasn't among the choicest suitors. 

I watched from afar how she was mistreated, cheated on and yet she went back to the same guys. Even though I did the same thing to other girls, I really felt bad for my friend. She was one of the closest friends I had. We ate together. We played together. We actually played. We studied together and most of the time, I was her confidante. I think a lot of people were disappointed that we couldn't be together. Not that we couldn't, I just wasn't good enough, I guess.  The entire period of junior high, I strove to be with her. I was so sure I'd change. And  four years later, I had changed. 

Lets meet at the mall 

I grew up in different residential areas. I shared residence between two countries. So I happened to be visiting my native land of which Jasmine ( changed her name) lived in. We had been talking for quite some time, just catching up. I went to a different high school, where I finally received Christ as Lord and savior. Jasmine went her own way as well. It's funny, we both went to same sex schools. 

I had planned to ask out Jasmine. She was an amazing Christian girl. She still is. Though we went out and ate, I only asked her out over the phone. I couldn't get the courage to ask her in person. She laughed at me after we had dated a little while. But hey, I did date the girl of my dreams.  If you got to read all about my bad relationships, you can also hear about the one healthy relationship I have ever had as a believer. We dated for a year before she relocated to Germany. That's how our relationship ended sadly. 

Who is a friend? 

David finished talking with Saul. Then Jonathan, Saul's son, became a very good friend of David. Jonathan loved David as much as Jonathan loved himself. - 1 Samuel 18:1 (EASY)

A friend is somebody you love according to the Bible. Jonathan had such a strong relationship with David that He loved him as he loved himself. Isn't it very interesting to know that Jesus commands us to do the same thing with our neighbor? You cannot have a friend that you do not love. And You cannot have a friend who you do not care about. One of the few reasons why my relationship with Jasmine worked out is because we knew each other as friends before we dated. It took me 4 years to know her. Again, I am not asking you to wait four years. I am only asking you to be patient. 

Yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with a friend. She said : some things are worth fighting for, working for and sacrificing for. (BTW, Thank you for wonderful thoughts. I stole my friend's words. She is gonna read this today though). Can you sacrifice for your friend? Can you fight for your friend? We actually see Jonathan do this. He protected his friend. He chose to side with his friend than to side with his father. Do you know how huge a sacrifice that is? 

Great relationships do not just happen. You need to know the person you are going to be with. I like what the bible says about the relationship that God had with Abraham. Let's look at it from a different author's words. 

Friendship is the key 

'But you, Israel, are my servant. Jacob, I have chosen you. You are the descendants of my friend Abraham.' - Isaiah 41:8 (EASY)

There's just so many wonderful things that God says about Abraham. It's almost as though Jacob was benefiting from the good relationship that Abraham had with God. The bible says, "You are the descendants of my friend Abraham." Here God chooses Jacob with regard to the friendship that he had with Abraham. It's funny that sometimes the best people to have relationships with are friends and yet many times, we ignore them to find some random person. I understand the fear we have. It's possible to ruin friendship because of attempting to have a relationship with them. It's very possible. I only suggest that you know the person enough before dating them. If you are single, become a friend of God. 

Good friendships last a lifetime 

 I am really very sorry that you are no longer here. I am very, very sad, Jonathan, my brother. I loved you very much. Your love was great, better than the love of women. - 2  Samuel 1:26 (EASY)

David said something pretty deep. The bible says, "Your love was great, better than the love of women." You cannot say this to anybody. This was a big deal. David had lost a good friend and the one thing that he remembers Jonathan for is for the love that they shared as friends. Friendship is key. It takes a while to build good friendships. It takes time. It takes vulnerability and it takes a whole lot of sacrifice. Good friendships do not just happen. 

Good friendships benefit others 

David asked, 'Does anyone know if there is anyone still alive from Saul's family?' I want to be kind to them because Jonathan was my friend. - 2 Samuel 9:1 (EASY)

It's amazing that David mentions Saul but decides to show kindness for the sake of Jonathan. And what is the reason? Because David and Jonathan were friends. 

 Then Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, grandson of Saul, came to David. He lay on the floor. He was honouring David. David said, 'Mephibosheth!' 'I am your servant,' he replied.7 'Do not be afraid,' David said to him, 'because I want to be kind to you. I want to be kind to you because your father Jonathan was my friend. I will give you back all Saul's land and I want you to eat here with me always.' - 2 Samuel 9:6-7 (EASY)

David honored his friend and in doing so when Jonathan was no more, Mephibosheth could be taken care of. How amazing! The relationship you have with God benefits your partner, your family, your friends and your entire ministry. It benefits everyone you know. Remember that scripture about Abraham? I'll put it back again. 

 'But you, Israel, are my servant. Jacob, I have chosen you. You are the descendants of my friend Abraham.' - Isaiah 41:8 (EASY)

God wants us to be His friend. When we become God's friends, we can start to win in every other relationship. Will you go out with God today? 

Note: Thank you so much readers! God bless you! In the next chapter, I talk about our friendship with Jesus. Thank you again! Shalom.