Friends--the blesing of our lives!
Ahhh, social media. It has its banes as well as boons. Facebook allows one to stay in touch with friends, it can be used as a business contact and for many, to stalk an ex-_______ (fill in the blank!)
Sadly, I know of some people who brag about how many "friends" they have on their page. I cringe. In this era of "everyone knowing your name, including some you may wish didn't," I wonder if it is wise to post every little detail, every picture you take, every thought you conjure. I say this because, if you Google your name, you'd be surprised that a lot of what you post, be it on social media, or as a comment on another page, be it a survey or whatever,, is held in cyber space for a long time. If you are applying for a job, it has been said that employers can access your page or posting...even if it's maybe just a comment on another's page or a business site. As the old saying goes, "if you can't say it in front of mom, do you REALLY want it out there?" Safety note. Take heed.
What gets to me is how many people brag about the number of "friends" they have on a social site. Fifty? One hundred? Try as many as over one thousand! Really? One thousand....you are a pretty lucky person to have over one thousand people you can count on as a friend. Let's take this thought a step farther: over one thousand folks that YOU CAN COUNT ON AS A FRIEND. This is important. A friend can be anyone who you work with, or hang out with. But...can you tell all of your most personal thoughts to each and every one? No. Because each person is special to us for many reasons. Think of the saying "a reason...a season...or a lifetime." Some people stick with another for some pretty shallow reasons of their own, be it for fame, for the sake of insecurity or maybe just because they like the idea of having a party or drinking buddy. I knew of many who just wanted to hang around with me to see what they could get without needing to work for it. Be it having a place to stay because they were too lazy to find work, or money because they were too immature to handle their own finances and therefore, were with one foot out the door in their own lives.
To me, a friend is someone who will go the distance WITH me. Sometimes even FOR me. Someone who I can call on in the middle of the night for whatever reason and they will hold my hand through the turmoil and I will do the same for them. For whatever reason, (again the reason, season, lifetime aspect) they fade away and that can be a good thing, too. To keep them when they don't really or can't really be there for you or you for them anymore is selfish on your part. Like a bird, they need to fly away. But the ones who stay are the grandest blessing of all! I have a friend from high school that I have known for over 30 years! I can share anything with er as she can with me. I have a friend I have known for over 25 years; again I can share anything with her and she with me. I have others in my life who also provide that blessing of being my mentors, my shoulder to cry on and who walk with me, as I with them in this sometimes chaotic world that we know as Life. Even Jesus said it so eloquently: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ..." John 15:13. Ask yourself, "would friend number 658 be willing to lay down their life for you---would you for them?" Truly a thought worth chewing on for today!
If you are blessed to have over one thousand friends, whether in life or on social media, God bless you. But be sure you understand the reasons why they are there...is it to bless your life....or is it a bane to your existence?
I can say this with certainty: rob has been my friend on here. If not for his words, and yours, I would have had both feet out the door. Thanks, Rev. Baum. You saved this old bugger from a sure death. Hope rob is doing ok and found that job. I think of him often.
ReplyDeleteA friend. I too have found a friend on here. One who stuck with me for the long haul. I hope he sticks with me forever! Sometimes the internet can be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend (there it goes again) who brags that she has over 1900 friends on Facebook. But its as you pointed out, would they all come to her aid if needed?
ReplyDeletegood topic. Amen.
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