Value of Friendships (A Birthday Special)

Hello Lights😊

I hope we're all catching our breath in anticipation of the election outcomes and hope we are safe. No matter what happens, please lets not forget, we are God's own and he's got us. 

In other news, I'm so excited about this post cos today's my Birthday, well I chose today. I was born on a very special day, 29th of February. Yeah, so I can choose to celebrate any time I want cos there's no 29 this year.😁 Funny how I was overly excited to celebrate my birthday this year even though, as some claim, I don't have birthday this year. I had no idea where the excitement came from, I was just so eager to do something to celebrate this year. But the closer the date got, I came to the realization that I may not be able to do anything serious to celebrate because of the elections and all. I was really bumped honestly. But the Holy Spirit reminded me about the thrill and excitement I had at the beginning of the Year and asked me why I was excited. So I began to meditate and try to figure out what I was so excited about in the first place. One of the reasons, I discovered, was because I was surrounded by people I wanted to celebrate with. 

At the end of Last Year, In the spirit of thanksgiving, I was so grateful for the friends God had placed in my life. I had to learn and understand the power and importance of friendships. For a very long period of life, I used to think there was something wrong with me cos I didn't have long term friends. This was partly because, my parents, being full time pastors, had to move almost every two years. So, I start at new school, struggle to make the right friends and then right when I'm just getting used to my new friends, we'd move and I'll have to change schools and the entire friend making process starts again. It became a cycle and at some point, I became used to it. So used to it that I never really cared about the friends I had. If there was even a bit of strife, I never hesitated to drop said "friend". In other words, I didn't care, as long as I had my family. 

Then, Boarding school came along, unexpectedly, as usual. For the first time I was separated from my "dear" family. Even though my brother and I were in the same school, I still felt alone. For the first time I longed for the company of friends. This desire eventually, was the beginning of my search and adventure with all sorts of "friends". If I go into the details of that journey, I'll have to split this post into two parts. So long story short, this time last year I made up my mind that I was going to be intentional about the friends I kept close and those I kept at a distance. I decided that whoever I kept close would be have to be people who would help me grow Spiritually, mentally, psychological, socially and every other area necessary. I also decided that for these people, I would be intentional about being their friends and not just them being my friends. I would treat them the way I would want them to treat me. Whether they reciprocated it or not. 

Honestly, It wasn't easy at all. But by the time last year was ending, I was so proud of myself because the friends I have right now are people who I can sincerely call my "Friends". I couldn't thank God enough for them in my life and for the grace God gave me to be able to reciprocate the love and fellowship they show me. I'm talking about friends that, I could call in my times of trouble or panic and they'd literally pray for or with me. I'd call at random times of the day or night and drop long Voice notes with on WhatsApp and they wouldn't think I was jobless or delusional. Friends that lifted and pushed me in every way. My prayers were answered.  

I feel like this entire post was just a rant, but please, just accept it. It's my birthday. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, Friendships are very vital part of your life as a Light of the World. Light and dark cannot cohabit. One overshadows the other. On the other hand, the more the Light in the midst of darkness, the brighter the light shines. So if you've never been intentional about the friends you keep, this your sign to take it seriously. Who's in your circle. Who do you keep around you. Are you lifting each other up and helping each other shine? No friendship is worth compromising your walk or relationship with God. This I've learnt the hard way. Friendship is a two way thing. To have a good loyal friend requires you to be that friend you want the other person to be to you. It starts with you and your intentions. 

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Luke 6:31 NLT 

 So my fellow Lights, at this point I really don't know what else to say, but Thank God for adding another year to my life. Thank God for the people God has placed in my life. Thank God for you who's reading this. The feedbacks and comments have been really encouraging. I sincerely appreciate you all. 

Don't Forget... 

You are Light and you must Shine!!

Cheers 🍻