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Some people seem to make friends wherever they go, gathering them under their wings like a hen with her chicks. Others find it difficult to make friends and often feel isolated and lonely. For all the shy and retiring ones, here is some excellent advice from Winnie the Pooh: “You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”

 

According to a recent American survey the ideal number of close, “inner circle”, bosom buddies is three, with a few more good friends added to the mix, and then any number of casual acquaintances.

 

It’s interesting that Jesus’ “inner circle” comprised three of His beloved disciples, namely Peter, James and John. This allowed them to witness many miracles and also suggests that they were especially trusted by Jesus. He often separated Himself from the crowds to spend quality time with these special friends. It’s so sad that when Jesus needed them most, they denied and abandoned Him.  Yet He forgave them, restored them to dignity, helped them to forgive themselves and to move on to better things.

 

There are times when we feel betrayed by our friends – or maybe we’ve betrayed them – because of gossip, selfishness, neglect, unkindness or even jealousy. In some cases, the friendship can be restored if the guilty party asks for and receives forgiveness. Sometimes it’s necessary to just break the ties and move on…

 

Proverbs 27:9 says this about friendship:

 

Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy,

For good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God's presence.