August 2, 2023 Devotional
Keeping Close Friendships
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
One of the ways motherhood changes a woman is the time she gets to spend with her friends. I saw myself not spending the same amount of time with my closest friends when I started having children. It was a bittersweet feeling because I miss them but at the same time, I wanted to spend more time with my babies.
I know this is true for most of us mothers, regardless if we work out of the home full time, or we are housemoms. Mom guilt also occurs in the rare opportunities that we get to go out with friends. Also, if your friends are mostly single, you suddenly feel out of place. Like your concerns are no longer parallel with theirs and commonality is waning.
In any case, it is good to know that despite our primary mission to raise and disciple our children, the Lord does not hamper us from nurturing our friendships. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Let us however re-examine the friendships that are worth keeping. Since we do not have a lot of time to dedicate to nurturing social connections, it is best to focus what time we have with relationships that glorify the Lord. Friendships that are based on gossiping, pursuit of worldly things, as well as toxic, one-way, and insincere relationships are best ended before it starts to hurt other people or ourselves. Proverbs 22:24-25 reminds us: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to read Hebrews 10:24-25 and Colossians 3:12-14 so we could dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: When was the last time you spent ample time with a dear friend? Does your relationship with your friend glorify the Lord?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father we praise and thank you for the friendships you have allowed us to experience and nurture in our lives. Bless our friends and their families, and may you allow our relationship to strengthen even more. May it also prod us to shine Your light on others. Amen.
Thank you for stopping by and till next post!
