One of the things I really hate is how (and it pains me to say it!) my parents are nearly always right.  Looking back on my teenage years when I was growing up, my parents used to say things to me and I used to think that what they were telling me was rubbish.. However as I have grown up I have realised that actually a lot of what they told me was right and that they were really looking out for me and had my best interests at heart.  Sometimes I wish that I had listened to them before making some of the mistakes that I made.

An issue that was always up for discussion when I was growing up was the company I kept.  Dont get me wrong none of my friends were ex-conficts or anything like that but I specifically remember my dad telling me how to choose my friends wisely as they were a part of shaping who you are and the personality you have.  AND BOY WAS HE RIGHT!!! I have had some pretty rubbish friends growing up, people who I thought were looking out for me and it has been pretty painful learning that I could not have been more wrong.

Similarly,  I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams by being surrounded by the most wonderful friends from I was a child who love me unconditionally.  People who always look out for my best interests, who are honest with me (sometimes even when I don’t want to hear what they are telling me, like yes that dress I am trying on does not do anything for me), who I can laugh with until I am rolling around on the ground, and most importantly who surround me with prayer when I don’t have the energy or words to know what to pray.

The friends we keep are so so important.  It is said that when you start to spend so much time with someone you start to become like them.  So when looking for friends now I always look for people who have qualitites that are attractive…people with gifts of kindness, patience, generosity… people who are givers instead of takers. 

Of course people are only human and we will always make mistakes, just like our friends will always make mistakes.  But the main thing to hold on to is that Jesus can be our best friend and there is one thing for certain, He will never let us down and will always be there for us whenever we need Him.