Monday Morning Manna: Friendship

They wished me Happy Birthday and it wasn’t even one of the “big ones.” Ever since my granddaughter put me on Facebook seven years ago, I have loved re-connecting with friends from days gone by, some from years gone by. Every day that a long-ago friend and I re-connect, is a good day. Friendship is close to the top of my list of values. I have steadfastly refused to let controversy, disagreement, or division destroy my friendships. The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The only way to have a friend is to be one,” and I have worked at being a friend to my friends, and even to a few of my non-friends (should that read “enemies”?). I believe that is being Christ-like. Jesus said, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). So, it was rewarding a few days ago when over 600 Facebook friends wished me a happy birthday. Add to that the number of wishes from friends who are still using e-mail, plus various other means of communication, even birthday cards through the U.S. Mail, and it was indeed a wonderful day of celebration. Theologian Thomas Aquinas said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” C.S. Lewis said, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” Surviving another year is rewarded with birthday wishes from friends. I’m looking forward to next time, when I celebrate a “big one.”

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.