But She Was My Friend

Friends come and go, but family is forever. My mom must have repeated this phrase hundreds of times during my teen years. Yet even with those words seared into my brain, it didn't hurt any less when friends left my life. The most recent time was probably the most painful. My best friend didn't really care about hanging out with me anymore. She didn't return my texts, and I would see picture after picture on social media of her spending time with other friends. I began to think maybe I was the problem. Then I remembered what my mom used to say. Friends do come and go. But family is forever. Not just any family thoughour families on earth can disappoint us and leave us too. I'm talking about our family with God. You see, when Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin and when He rose from the grave, God invited us into His family. When we put our faith in Christ, we become God's children! And God will never leave us. He's adopted us, and He promises we will live forever with Him and our family in Christ (Revelation 21:1-5). It's important to find friends who will encourage you to be more like Christ. But don't place your identity in who wants to be your friend or who has decided not to be your friend anymore. Jesus is our eternal Friend; He's our Brother. He died for us, and He's promised He will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-8). So, yes, friends come and go. But Jesus' commitment to you is forever. • Emily Saxe Have you ever experienced a friend walking away from your life? How did you respond? If you know Christ, you're a part of God's family. How does this truth affect your life and relationships? How can you remember that you are a part of God's family and that God will never abandon you? But to all who did receive him [Jesus], he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name. John 1:12 (CSB) Read Verses: Proverbs 18:24; Romans 8:14-17