Well, recent changes in our family life have brought about conversations about friendships and how they are formed, why they sometimes move on and how to deal with change, as well as what we can learn from each friendship and their overall experience. Also upon reading an article on a forum I sometimes visit, I was amazed by the responses people put when asked the question ‘How many friends do you REALLY have? Most added they only had one or two ‘real friends’ at a stretch…. A sad state, but obviously from the many, many responses a common fact of life these days.
The definition of ‘real’ was basically defined as feeling comfortable at calling your friend at any time of the day or night to ask for any kind of support or assistance and know that they will happily assist.
Many people spoke about having ‘friends’ who they hung out with, but only counted a select few as their true friends that they could call on for support and assistance at any time of the day or night and know that they would be there for them.
The discussion reminded me of the following Poem I had read about friendships many moons ago….
A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realise is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Author Unknown
So in answer to the question ‘How many friends do you REALLY have? My response would be, many for a reason, a smaller number for a season and so far, just three for a lifetime.
