Two Are Better Than One

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV)

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Ah, my favorite verse regarding friendship in all of the bible.  Friendships have always been extremely important to me.  We are born into our families, but we are chosen by our friends.  They can fix us up but can also break our hearts.  Whatever the case, life wouldn't be as fulfilling and overall would be more difficult without them.    I think that is why I like this verse so much.   

But how many of us find it hard to let our friends in on the most difficult times of our lives?  And why do we shut people out?  After all, the bible says that we are to not be alone, right?

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)

So, I ask again.   Why is it so hard to ask a friend for help? They are our friends, aren't they? I can't speak for everyone, but I know that it took me a long time to let my self-sufficient-I-can-manage-anything-and-everything self ask for help.  I learned early on as a young girl that we didn't ask for favors from others.  It has taken a long time for me to realize that self-sufficiency at its extreme is really just a fancy word for pride.  We wouldn't want to show any weakness, would we?  Trusting others with our deepest fears and weaknesses isn't easy, but if we can find that person who is safe place to share and pray with, it sure makes the burdens seem lighter.  In addition we let others in on the blessings of coming to our assistance for whatever the need - emotional or physical.

In closing, I would like to share with you a devotional I received today written by Paula Moldenhauer over at her blog "Grace Reign".  It really spoke to me because I have been thinking about the subject of friendship lately and it so timely came over the email, not to mention, it referenced the original movie of one of my favorite movie remakes.  Please visit "An Affair to Remember" here.

Lord, I thank You for the friends You have put in my life, both current and past.  Thank You for the past memories with them and the ones yet to be made.  You have truly blessed me more than I deserve.  Please help me to be selfless in caring for the needs of my loved ones, help me to let them share my own burdens, while at the same time keeping the proper boundaries and priorities and remembering that You are the best Friend of all. Amen.