Perhaps one of the most tragic things I've seen in life is the break-ups of great friends and great families. And on the flip side, one the BEST things I've ever experienced is friends who are like family and family members who are actually friends.
I think the writer of today's passage may have had a similar experience. Take another look at a few verses from today's chapters:
Overlook an offense and bond a friendship;
fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!
The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,
so stop it before it bursts.
Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Words kill, words give life;
they're either poison or fruit—you choose.
Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
What causes friendships to break? What pulls families apart? In many cases, it starts with words--words that are hurtful or positive words that are left unsaid. Sometimes those words lead to offenses...and in the most tragic cases, unforgiveness, bitterness and brokenness.
On the flip side, encouraging words, a Facebook post or a handwritten card from a great friend or family member can strengthen bonds. Love, loyalty and forgiveness are the bonds that hold friends and families together. Good relationships take effort--they will cost you time, energy and sometimes, doing and saying what you want.
One thing I've learned so far? You can't keep score. If you do, love never wins (and neither will you). Fight for who and what you love most--forgive.
Tomorrow: Proverbs 19-21
No comments:
Post a Comment