Friend Crush

So one of my latest website addictions is ThoughtCatalog. Basically it's a bunch of articles written about all sorts of life topics that young 20's somethings (us!) deal with - it ends up being both thought-provoking and hilarious at the same time. Recently I just came across an article on developing friendships that really struck a cord with me:

If you're not busy Friday, could we become best friends?

I don't know about you all - but I friend crush HARD. It's so funny thinking back on meeting my closest friends and remembering how much I initially liked them and how it was exciting (and even a little nerve-wracking) as we got to know each other better and develop a closer relationship. The first time you realize with a friend that you have a similar shared experience or understand a fundamental fact about each other is an absolutely wonderful experience. All of this thinking on friendships really impressed upon me that God is extremely gracious to place other people in our lives to demonstrate His love for us in a tangible way. Look at some of these biblical friendships and how they demonstrate similar characteristics of the Lord's love:

Ruth and Naomi

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” ~ Ruth 1:16-17

David and Jonathan 

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. ~ 1 Samuel 18:1-3

Friends demonstrate to us all sorts of aspects of the Lord's love: His constancy, His steadfastness, His forgiveness, His compassion, His understanding. And by practicing being a good friend, we learn how to imitate the Lord in the way He cares for us. It's such an amazing blessing that the Lord gives us these physical manifestations to receive and act out His love! My prayer for us today is that we would look for the little ways our friendships can reflect the greater glory and love of our Lord!