The You Friend

Have you ever looked around and wished there was another you available? Like, you open presents at Christmas and wished you'd shopped for yourself because at least then you'd get a present that you actually liked. You get to your birthday and it falls flat because no one planned anything. You see friends posting a gathering on social but you weren't invited because no one else remembers to invite everyone the way you do. You sit and think of all the things you wish you could tell your friends but know you can't because you know they wouldn't understand or they would totally judge you.

You wish you had a friend like... you.

Well. There are two things to think about there.

1. You probably sucked as a friend sometimes, too. Ever forgotten someone's birthday? Ever got wrapped up in your own circumstances so you weren't fully present when your friend was sharing their feelings? We all have because we're human and thus completely imperfect. When you're feeling like your friends should be doing a better job, just remember all the times you weren't perfect and extend them some grace.

2. You can shift your perspective. Where can you be the friend you’re hoping to have? If we take the approach of treating others how we want to be treated (Luke 6:31), then this should be easy! Buuuut it’s not, is it? We only look at what we aren’t getting instead of what we can give. If we feel like we’re not being cared for, then we should get our heads out of our own butts and look around for who else feels the same way! I promise if you take a second to look around you’ll find someone who needs caring for just as much (if not more) than you do.

The first one is hard because it requires us to admit we screw up too. The second one is hard because we have to admit we aren’t the center of the universe. Both require us to take our hurt and add a scoop of humility to the top. I’ll go ahead and tell ya… it doesn’t taste good but it’s good for us!

Philippians 2:3 tells us to do nothing out of selfishness but instead to value others more than we value ourselves. If we decide that we are in fact flawed and that as a part of following Jesus we’re to follow what the Bible tells us, then our path is clear.

Today, pray for:

-humility. Ask God to remind you daily that He is God and you are not.

-awareness. Ask God to show you who needs a friend like you. (Don’t pray it if you don’t mean it. He WILL provide when you’re least wanting this one answered.) Also thank Him for the people you do have and ask Him to help you appreciate what’s already been given.

Take time to:

-go out of your way to do something nice for three people that are on the outside edge of your friend circle (not your besties)

-listen to someone who annoys you without dismissing them (I know, I know. But it works!)