“Friendship: The Greatest of Worldly Goods”

“Made for Friendship” — Chapter Three Reflection

You Become Who you Befriend

“Choose your friends wisely because they will either make you or break you.”

This is the way my high school Sunday school teacher ended every lesson. As I look back over my 51 years of life, her words have proved invaluable. The people I hung out with are the people I became like. Habits, interests, and patterns of speech were shaped by those closest to me, the people I called friends.

Praise God for His church where I’ve been able to forge the very best of friendships. As the author points out more explicitly in this chapter, friendship halves are sorrows and doubles our joys.

A New Challenge & An Old Reminder

This truth became more evident through one of my life’s biggest and most recent transitions: Giving my daughter away in marriage. During the year leading up to this event, my friends prayed for me and encouraged me. But I also needed their counsel. This wasn’t just another milestone but a turning point—a new beginning.

I haven’t lost a daughter. In fact, I’d gained another son (a blessing indeed!). Yet, my role as a mom has changed from one of authority to one of friend, possibly mentor, and well, I’m still trying to figure that out, which is exactly why I need friends!

I love this quote from the author:

“. . . close friends love us more than any author or professional ever will. This is because they are personally invested in our decisions. What happens to us happens to them. Our problems are their problems. Our future is their future.” (Page 69)

This certainly has been true for me. The pre-wedding prayers are now shareable praises. Oh, I still have a lot to learn, but I have hope as I navigate this new season. After all, God has provided wonderful friends to help me. Friends may make us or break us—or maybe good friends will do a little bit of both: Breaking us from who we used to be and making us who we are to become.

Praise God for this gift of friendship! It truly is the greatest worldly good—the greatest worldly good with the most heavenly joy.