Reliable Friends

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

She is the sweetest person I have ever called “friend.”  A gentle and kind woman who doesn’t have bad things to say about anyone.  And she was always late.  That is, if she didn’t cancel the morning of or an hour before we planned to meet up.  I knew the second we scheduled a lunch date to not be disappointed when she gave me the “oops” text.  Sweet and completely unreliable.  And although I tried not to let it bother me it did.  

When we are younger, automatic friend groups pop up because of school, work, volunteering or your kid’s activities.  As I grew older, I found myself realizing that not all but many, friends were out of convenience.  Many of them weren’t ones I could truly rely upon.  

It all came to a head one day when I was desperate for someone to take me to the doctor.  I had gotten word that my knee injury was in fact a serious fracture and I was urged to get to the orthopedic doctor immediately.  My husband was out of town.  I contacted my mother and was turned down (a longer story for another time).  Then my “best friend” who also turned me down.  I asked yet another friend and was told no.  Instead, I found myself driving home from a doctor’s appointment with a hip to ankle brace and crutches.  To this day I’m not sure how I made it home without crashing.  It was my “ah ha” moment about my lack of reliable friends.

I spent the next few days alternately feeling sorry for myself and evaluating the people in my friend sphere.  I realized there were people around me that were reliable.  I just hadn’t cultivated them as good friends.  After prayer and putting together an action plan I set about changing this situation.  

Friend, since that time I’ve had a number of friends tell me they wish we were friends back during that time of my injury.  They tell me they would’ve dropped everything to help me.  They are my new sisters, most of whom are also sisters in Christ.  Isn’t it time to make sure you have a few reliable friends too?

Holy God, you are my first and foremost reliable guide, friend and helper in my life.  I thank you for the reliable people you have placed around me.  Please always help me be on the lookout for other, earthly friends with whom I can walk through this world together.  Amen