You've got a Friend...

Isn't Toy Story a wonderful movie?  How many have cried at the end of Toy Story 3 when Andy chooses to leave his toys with the little girl?  It's me, the sentimental sap. There are a ton of themes to that series, but as the song suggests "You've Got a Friend in Me."  Seriously, you do.  Ok, maybe you don't know me and maybe if you do, I annoy you. How that could ever be the case I do not know, because I am just a constant joy to be around.

You know that friend that you've had since you were a kid? Maybe through school or church that no matter what happened in life, you always were connected.  That when everything else in you life was going to Hell in a hand basket, they were the constant, they were your compass to your true North.  Or that friend that you knew in High School that you liked but never really fused into true blue friends until later in life when it just seemed you couldn't go a few hours without having to tell them something.  Or those friends that you can be totally honest with, that you have no qualms telling them the awful truth about something you've done, or want to do.  I have these friends. I didn't always.

When I had my firstborn, Remle, we were blessed with a huge shower and tons of well wishers, but when it came to the birth and getting that projectile vomiting demon home, I didn't have many people outside of my husband and mother.  13 months later we brought our preemie, Daily, home and I was in much of the same situation.  Too far away from church to ever really be involved and too scared to get in the car and go anywhere with a 1 year old and a newborn. When we had Frankie though, my experience was so different. I had so many people surrounding me, begging to help.  It was wonderful!

I credit this difference to my relationship with God, my husband and my church family. No, not everyone I'm friends with goes to church with me (just 98% of them.)  But after finding my church home, I realized that I could ask God for friends.  It seems silly. I mean, seriously, how could a crazy, extrovert like me go for so long without friends?  It's simple now that I can look back. I wasn't in the right place, I wasn't searching for the right people.

Do I love my life?  Absolutely. Am I always saying that on here? Not so much. But be aware that before I type anything on here, I have vented to at least 3 of my closest friends.

If you're not sure what to look for, let me give you some pointers.  Find someone that will make you laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Find someone that you feel you can be truthful with. This may take a little time since it can be difficult to trust, but start small and build from there.  Find someone that is your same body type.  If not for any other reason so that you can borrow clothes, but also so that you can identify with that person's self consciousness.  Find someone who is on the same sleep schedule as you.  If you're a night owl and want to get out of the house after 9 but all of your friends are asleep, you might end up on Peopleofwalmart.com because they weren't there to send you back in your house to change clothes.  And of course, find someone that is a gift from God.  Whether it be at your church or someone you reconnect with.  It could be that friend that you've always had, but never thought about truly embracing.  Whatever you do, get them.

Because one day your whole family will be sick and you'll need a friend to run to the drugstore for you.  Or you'll be in the hospital and your parents are out of town with your sick grandmother and you need someone to keep your 3 darling children. Or you'll be on the brink of killing your husband and need someone to call to tell you how bad prison food is. Or there will be a stupid movie you really want to see and need a friend to indulge you. Or you'll be in the shower and slip and fall and you'll need that friend who won't mind seeing you naked to come and help you up.  There is a common theme: Need. No man is an island. You can not go through life without good compadres.

All of that being said, be a great friend.  Don't let people down. Don't get upset when they put their family first. Don't be selfish with your time together.  Don't expect them to agree with you on everything. And if you do anything, DO be a friend that Jesus would want to have. Pray for your friends.  Because believe me, they need it, and so do you.