By Karen Y. Stevens

I have been experimenting with my friends to see which ones really know me.

Those that know me well, know I am not materialistic. I like stuff, but I don’t wear designer clothes, or buy the latest, and best products on the market.

In casual conversations, I have been stating to my friends that money is the most important thing to me. I’ve watched their reaction to see how they respond to that statement.

Those that really know me, know that I tithe, give to missionaries and other ministries, so most of them reacted puzzled. Some had indignation.

I wanted to see who I had a superficial relationship with. You know the difference.

When you are friends with someone, but they aren’t really interested in finding out anything about you. They just do surface talking, and don’t really listen to your response.

Real friends – you talk to them about your troubles, desires, hurts, etc. The ones you’re not sharing these things with, means you’re scared they will make fun of you, or talk behind your back.

I’m sure you know where this is leading.

Have we been talking to Jesus about our hurts; our fears? Or, are we just doing the surface talking? Running thru the list of things we normally pray for that has become repetitious.

Every morning before my husband and I leave to go to work, we pray with each other, and these prayers do get repetitive. We are usually in a hurry to get out the door, that we end up saying the same thing.

We always pray for our boys and daughter-in-law. Since our daughter-in-law is expecting, we pray for baby Waylon. We always pray for wisdom, blessings, our jobs, and those in need of healing.

I don’t mind my friends and family asking me to pray for them, but it’s hard for me, to ask them, to pray for me. Someone once told me this was due to pride???

Colin Powel once said “In prosperity our friends know us.” “In adversity we know our friends.”

When we’re up, they love us. When we’re down they avoid us, unless they are a true friend.

When one of my close friends makes a point to ask me to pray, I will text them at least once a week, if not every other day to tell them I’m praying. I’m not trying to get a pat on the back from them; I’m trying to encourage them, because so many of us say we will pray, when in actuality, we don’t.

I want my friends to know that I care, but most importantly that Jesus cares.

There is a song by Joseph Ludgate and it goes like this: “Friendship with Jesus! Fellowship divine! Oh, what blessed, sweet communion! Jesus is a Friend of mine. A Friend when other friendships cease, A Friend when others fail, A Friend who gives me joy and peace, A Friend when foes assail!”

If Jesus is really our friend, then we should be bonding with Him in prayer. He is a true friend. He will be there in the ups and downs, and won’t talk behind your back.

 

Karen Y. Stevens is founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild