Trusted Friends

When I was growing up, I struggled with fitting in with the crowd. I had a few trusted friends and basically despised everyone else.

As I have grown older my number of friends has broadened. I have people who have been in my life for certain seasons, some for years, some of only weeks. There are close friends, distant friends, long lost friends, and then those I just consider acquaintances.

Going through life with all those issues has caused me to have times when I really needed a shoulder to cry on, a friend to hug, someone to laugh with, you know all the things a friend does for a person. Whenever I was in need, it always seemed that God put the person there that I needed.

As I have gotten older, I prayed that I would be the friend to people, that people have been to me. I want to be able to be the person that people chose to confide in, the person people trust, the person that people come to when they feel they can go no where else.

You get what you pray for. People come to me all the time and I don't always understand it. People will share things with me that I have no knowledge about. Some will share deep, personal stories while others just share the latest gossip. The point is, I am being that friend. As I asked my trusted friend and counselor, why people choose me she said it was because I am easy to talk to. She said I have an open mind and people know they can trust me. I told her that all sounded great, but I didn't buy it.

Maybe I should start buying it. More and more these days, I have become the trusted friend. I am thankful that God is placing me in the lives of people that need me. I am hearing heart wrenching stories. I am hearing stories of love and laughter. I am hearing stories of pain and suffering. Most of all, I am hearing stories as the trusted friend.

So, as I think about being the trusted friend that hears the stories (that I don't repeat), I think about my trusted friends. I am forever thankful for the lives of the people who have touched me; while I am ever thankful that God has placed me in the lives of those who need a trusted friend.

May we remember that no matter where we walk or the trials we face God has us there for a reason. So look around, find trusted friends and never let them forget that you are thankful.