By JMathis

I am remorseful that I have allowed so many friends to slip through my fingers over the years.

I have taken friendships for granted, just because I arrogantly assumed that the other person would always be there, waiting at the curbside where I left her.

Never did I ponder how painful it must have been for my friend when I didn’t return her calls, return her texts, return her emails, return her hand-written letters.

I am sorry, sweet friend, for being so thoughtless. I was naïve and cruel, and ignored your attempts to reach out to me.

I was willing to discard you for something else, someone different, some other form of new: new friends, new places, new ideas.

I have been a situational friend, and I ask for your forgiveness.

I was wrong.

It is only now, in quiet conviction, that I understand that I was designed to live relationally with you.

Perhaps too much time has passed. Perhaps it is too late for us.

Please do know, though, that I finally see you, hear you and understand you.

It is in this seeing, hearing and understanding that I realize a significant life lesson: I was designed for friendship.

Friendship with my Creator. Friendship with you.

Today, I acknowledge you as part of my design—as part of my inner fabric.

Thank you for being part of me.

My story was incomplete without you.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work.

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, New International Version