While relaxing by the fire on a warm Christmas Eve, my mind shifted to the millions of people who have to deal with a problem that ranks alongside or surpasses the lack of food in a land of plenty, loneliness. This article is not an answer or a remedy to deal with or solve this problem in our present day society but maybe some church leaders will read this article and change their approach to ministry as it relates to people. Try becoming friends with a person first rather than the rush in converting them to an already trouble and divided organization, the modern church. Perhaps people not related to the church will understand that friendships or becoming a friend requires an investment of your time.
Christmas time seems to be the one time of the year that many people wish, would pass quickly. I remember the time when the most important thing in community was the bond between friends and neighbors and the church reaching out to the community, the widows, the fatherless and the hungry. Loneliness can be found in the pews of the church, the common places at home and in relationships. Having a friend in whom you can trust and depend on to listen and not judge is of great value and this type of friend is of more value than riches. There are many people of great wealth that are lonely and friendless. It is said that “money can’t buy love or friendship”, well it seems to work for the rich and wealthy until the riches run out, the problems surface and their fair weather friends vanish.
Friendship seems to have a different meaning in this century, its conditional. For as long as you do the things these part-time friends approve of and you acquiesce to their wishes you can remain in their graces. When you have problems or you need someone to lend their ear, the dynamics of this friendship changes. The investment of time is required to build and maintain friendships that can last a life time. It seems that people do not have the time or patience for such an investment of a precious resource. Everything seems to be wanted now; results are sought for now without allowing time to solidify a bond.
In the coming New Year take your time to get to know the person that you find interesting and a joy to be around, work at being a friend first.
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