What friend are you?

 Recently my family had a beach trip, and we, by no surprise, enjoyed God’s gift of an ocean breeze and water fun. Also, by no shocker, my wife and I witness our son Aaron finding a “friend” to play with in the ocean. Within moments, both boys knew each other’s names and spent the next several hours splashing and laughing in the waters. What I always found remarkable about Aaron is his willingness to befriend someone or, at the very least, enjoy some time together. I pray that one day, he will find a friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) – although he does have three older brothers. No offense, boys. Right now, Aaron’s seeking companionship is a little selfish. He wants someone to play with; nothing wrong with that at his age.

My challenge is to find a friendship like David and Jonathan in the Scriptures – “Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:3, ESV). Selfless friendship. My friends, do you have a friend like this – who build you up and is a Christ-like example (1 Thessalonians 5:11)? Are you this type of friend to others? I would tell my sons this Proverb, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20, ESV). I would tell them, don’t be that fool, boys. Instead, let us seek to bless others, especially those we might not know, at least not yet.