by Gail Gritts
TEARS
“Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy…” II Timothy 1:4
My daughter used to say that the missionary life was a life of good-byes. Every time she made a friend, it wasn’t long before life would take them apart – sometimes never to be seen again. Such a life can harden you. Instead of making friends you move from acquaintance to acquaintance without forming any emotional attachment.
Those involved in ministry know the strength and comfort that is drawn from those who likewise serve others. Few and far between are the friends who truly understand the pressures, heartaches, and hopeful anticipation that goes along with full time service. When such a friend is found there is formed an amazing bond. Such was the bond between Paul and Timothy. Parting, even for a time of ministry, was faced with tears.
“Henry Brooks Adams wrote, "One friend in a life is much, two are many, three are hardly possible." It is true that finding a good friend is difficult and becoming more difficult all the time. There are several things that hinder our desire for close friendships -
the pace of life . . . we are too busy to nurture relationships
the distractions of life . . . television, the Internet, video games
the mobility of life . . .people move frequently from job to job and location to location
the isolation of life . . .we spend much time at computers and in front of boxes which provide no interaction at all.
the cynicism of life . . . we distrust people and so we are reluctant to let our guard down.” (Bruce Goettsche)
So – Do you form solid and strengthening bonds or are you allowing the things of this life to keep you in shallow relationships? Would you shed tears if your friends went away – even for a few months? Or, would you not even notice they were gone? If so, what does that say about the depth of the relationships you are forming?