Years ago, when I got married, I unintentionally let my friendships suffer. While it was not intentional, I thought being married meant I needed to spend all my non-working time with my spouse. I did not do a good job of maintaining my close friendships and family relationships. When my marriage started suffering, I felt alone and felt like I had no one to turn to, even though that wasn’t the case either. My friends and family were still there for me. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that what happens in a marriage should stay there, and should only be discussed with trusted counsellors, but I still neglected to maintain those relationships.
Here I am, a few years after my divorce, and as I look back, I see the importance of how my friendships and family got me through a very difficult time. They were there with prayer in the moments when I didn’t know what to pray for for myself. They were there just being there and reminding me that I had friends, and all I needed to do was to call on them. As my relationship with God has grown, I realize that my platonic friendships have grown and deepened as well. I’ve become a better friend, and a better listener.
I like to think that God knew exactly what He was doing when He created the different types of love. There’s a special one for our spouses, but that does not satisfy all our needs. There’s one for our friendships, but likewise, that does not satisfy our needs. There’s one for our family.. you get the point.
The only love and relationship that satisfies our needs and longings is the love of Christ. He’s the only one who can fill all the desires of our hearts.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being a constant companion. Help us to seek you above everything else, knowing that when we do, we will find fulfillment in your love, and whatever else we seek, you will provide.