Friendships can be very confusing things. People play happily with you one day and the next they’re mean and cold-shoulder you. You try to be kind but sometimes it feels like you’re the only one who makes any effort and you’re always the one who loses out. Why then should you bother? Isn’t it much simpler just to play by yourself?
Friendships are important. Your friends enjoy being with you. They share your secrets and problems and help you to have fun and relax. They are there for you. They accept you just the way you are, believe in you, forgive your mistakes and encourage you.
Try paying attention to people and make them feel special. If you’re a chatterbox or always talk about your own interests or toys why not spend more time listening?
Remember that your friends also need space and don’t resent it if they have plans with other people. If someone is having a sad day, why not ask if there is any way you can help?
The way we talk to someone is very important. Sometimes we can be very rude or hurtful in the things we say and how we say them. If a group you belong to keep being spiteful to you, perhaps you would find better friendships within another group.
Do you make friends easily? Are you happy just to have one or two good friends? Some children find it really hard to make friends. They might be shy, or quiet, or can’t find someone who thinks the same way as them or likes to do the same things.
If there is someone new to your street or school, why not involve them in your group or invite them around for tea.
If you want to make new friends why not try an after school club, or a group like cubs or brownies in your local area. There are often lists of local groups you can join in the library or on the internet.
Remember to smile! If you look friendly people will be more likely to talk to you and make friends.
Jesus understood the importance of friendship. He set the example in his friendships. He wasn’t just friends with the 12 apostles and Martha, Mary and Lazarus; he was also friends with tax collectors and sinners and was heavily criticized for it. Jesus offered and still offers friendship to everyone.
His command to us is to love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27). This is a very powerful message as it tells us to treat others and ourselves equally well.
In the story of the Good Samaritan a man was attacked by robbers and left for dead at the side of the road. A priest and a Levite (another holy man) both passed by and didn’t stop to help. Then a Samaritan came by. The Samaritans and Jewish people didn’t like each other, however all this man saw was another human being in trouble. He bound his wounds, took him to an inn and then paid the innkeeper to look after this stranger. Jesus told this story to show you could be friends with anyone.
Jesus wants to be friends with you and he wants you to share your friendship with other people.
If you like writing and sharing ideas why not find a pen-pal? There are websites that will help or perhaps your school is twinned with one in another country and you could find a pen-pal through them. For online safety reasons it is important that you get your parent’s permission before you contact someone and give them your personal details, such as your address.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you the most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then I carried you."
(Author Unknown)
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