Be a Johnathan

If loyalty was a love language, it would be mine.

Where I get my hair and nails done (shout out to Callie and Skye), the M Salon, posted a question the other day and I’ve dwelled on it ever since. “What is most important to you in friendship” without hesitation, I typed “Loyalty”.

I can remember my mom a long time ago said to me “you’re loyal, Haley, more than anything.” I took it as a compliment. There have been times my loyalty has cost my feelings. Times it called for choices to be made. Stands to be taken. Times when it wasn’t always repaid but real friends, those “bosom friends” Anne of Green Gables talks about, they’re the real deal. And they’re worth the tests that friendships often go through.

In First Samuel Eighteen, it talks about the relationship David and Johnathan shared. David is my second favorite in the Bible (not counting Jesus of course. Isn’t he supposed to be everyone’s automatic number one?). Anyway, it always struck me how close these two were. I mean, Johnathan’s father, Saul, was plotting to kill David and Johnathan still had his friend’s back above all. I catch myself saying so often, “You know blood is thicker than water.” But here, I’m proved wrong. This is what a godly friendship will do for you.

A godly friendship will call you to absolutely walk through fire and adversities not for what that friend may do for you after the dust settles, but because you truly love that person and want what’s best for them.

Sometimes, the cost to yourself is losing your pride. But it’s worth it. So, so worth it.

Countless times, my friends have held me as I cried happy and sad tears. Helped guide me to what the Lord was trying to make me see. They’ve advised me. They have celebrated with me and have mourned with me. They’ve called me out when I was wrong and they’ve forgiven me.

I believe there are some friendships God ordains. And blesses. David and Jonathan are a perfect example of that.

I urge you to seek out these people, show them how thankful you are for them. Hey, choose them. Over and over.

It’s always good to have God’s people in your corner. To pray for you. To seek godly counsel from. So many times I’ve had questions my friends directed me to His Word to find answers about. Those are blessed friendships and I am incredibly thankful I have some of those.