The Gift of Friendship

The word friend appears in the King James Bible 49 times. Variations of the word—friendship, friends—appear 139 times across different translations. That tells me that friends are important to God.

John 15:15 says:

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

This scripture makes a clear distinction between a servant and a friend. Jesus says that a servant does not know his master’s business. This implies that a friend is someone you trust—someone to whom you can reveal your heart. Trust is a cornerstone of friendship, though it is not always easy to give, especially if that trust has been broken before.

That verse from Jesus really stood out to me. Today, it seems that so many people hide who they really are out of fear that someone might discover their business. People show up with their representatives—the versions of themselves they want others to believe in, rather than who they truly are. But you can only hide what’s inside for so long.

I feel deeply blessed to have experienced true friendship in my life. God has placed genuine friends around me—people with whom I share a deep, mutual connection built on unwavering trust, loyalty, and support through both good times and bad. In moments of struggle, I draw near to these friends. We have no fear of sharing our hearts with one another because we know our business is safe in each other’s care. Our friendship is more than carnal; it is spiritual. I truly believe that my friends were sent by God—gifts of divine connection and grace.

My friendships go far beyond casual acquaintances who socialize, gossip, or take trips together. What I have is a sisterhood—a bond formed not by biology, but by the blood of the Spirit.

My friends have carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life with their support, understanding, love, kindness, respect, and encouragement. My friend is the one who knows me best. We speak truth to each other in love, even when it means checking one another before crossing a dangerous bridge. I am safe with my friend.

My friendship is strong—it defies distance. No matter how far apart we are, our connection cannot be broken.

My friendship is timeless—it doesn’t matter how long it’s been since we last spoke; when we reconnect, it feels as if no time has passed.

My friendship is transparent—it sees beyond what is unsaid and listens for the subtle cues that reveal when one of us is hurting.

My friendship is protective--it always has my back and on the lookout for anything that might seek to harm me

My friendship is silly—we can laugh for hours over the smallest things, sharing inside jokes that only we understand.

My friendship is deep. It can debate world topics or the latest style of shoes.

My friendship is honest—it cuts through facades and embraces vulnerability.

My friendship is God-filled—we lift each other in prayer, always seeking His covering and presence in every circumstance.

My friendship is forever—it withstands storms, trials, and the passage of time.

My friendship is reciprocal—it gives as much as it receives.

Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that to have friends, one must first show themselves friendly. I thank God for being the kind of friend who taught me how to show up in ways that would bless me with the gift of friendship I now enjoy.

I thank God for friendship—those divine reflections of love, loyalty, laughter, and grace that He’s so graciously placed in my life.