I DON'T DO TEENAGERS â—½ HOME
Do your teens know who their best friend is? Most likely, it has changed from year to year, depending on which kids are in their classes, or which ones are less annoying, or which ones turn out to be loyal – all sorts of “which ones.” I remember having best friends in elementary school that then stayed best friends the rest of my life, but they were few. And then other friends I adored moved across the country, and we lost touch, or not. I have one friend that is still close, and she moved away in 3rd grade!
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However, our teens need to know who their BEST FRIEND is of all time. Maybe we should coin a new acronym GFOAT in addition to the GOAT. GFOAT can be greatest friend of all time.
As I observe the teens in our family, I see that their best friends are the ones that cause no drama.
They don’t compete or talk glibly or gossip, but instead they’re just plain fun and enjoyable to be with. In fact, those friends are confident in who they are, and it makes them easy to be around. I also observe that best friends come from families with nice parents, which is important. Other best friends make our teens laugh and they feel good after a day spent with these friends.
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The Bible has a lot to say about friendship, but I think my favorite verse is the one that says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, from Proverbs 18:24. This means that there is a friendship that transcends even family connections. Your teens probably argue with their siblings and may not even count them among their best friends now…or forever. That’s always sad. But the truth our teens need to know is that all friends will fall short…
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But Jesus will not.
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John 15 tells us that greater love has no one than to lay down his life for a friend. And Jesus did just that. Our kids need to know this truth and grab hold of the implications. My goodness. We, as the adults, need the reminder as well!
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This chapter also tells us that Jesus shares everything he’s learned from his Father, and that too is true friendship. We are privy and connected to the Father, in the same way that Jesus is. Wow!
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James 2 says Abraham was called a friend of God because he believed. Our teens need some truth to believe, and when they choose the love of Jesus, they instantly receive the benefits of a lifelong friend in Him.
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Jesus covers all our offenses in forgiveness, when we ask. He doesn’t hold them against us, like friend might do if we offend him/her.
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When we choose to follow God’s word, we are a friend of God.
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Jesus was tempted in every way that we are tempted, and he sympathizes with our struggles, like no other friend can do.
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And, Jesus is with us always and forever.
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It might be good this February, to sit with our teens as a family and consider the friendship of Jesus. When we know him as friend, then it doesn’t hurt so much when our other friends disappoint, when we fail, or when we feel as we don’t even have a friend at all. He is with us and cares, and hears every prayer.
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What a friend we have in Jesus. And the lyrics of a cartoon your teens probably loved can remind them as well…
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You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
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And that friend is Jesus.