Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together. If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone? And if one person is vulnerable to attack, two can drive the attacker away. As the saying goes, “A rope made of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 (VOICE)

One of the challenges I’ve faced with my move to a new city has been the idea of leaving friends and making new ones. My old friends know me, my struggles, and my piece of the puzzle. They’ve prayed with me and cried with me. They’ve been to my house and I’ve been to theirs. They know I like tea and not coffee. They know I am quiet most of the time, but when I share I offer perspectives they hadn’t seen before.

It takes me a while to open up to people. Especially when I feel I might be judged. Maybe they won’t like me. My go-to mode is to withdraw, physically or emotionally, but that’s not the way God wants me to handle it.

In Genesis, God tells us it is not good for us to be alone. We are created for relationship with him and with others. We are stronger together.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

Friends encourage us and motivate us to be better.

Have you shied away from making friends? Are you, like me, afraid of being judged and rejected? I want to encourage you to be brave and take the first step. Your efforts may end in rejection, but they may also gain you a friend.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy