Let's Share

Picture by Caprice Miller

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” – Proverbs 27:9

The aroma of popcorn is immediately recognizable.  Just the scent is enough to help complete a movie experience.   Even if you don’t consume it yourself, you can still enjoy the buttery goodness just from the smell. The sense of smell can be so sensitive and can trigger a variety of emotions.  There are just certain things that are so pleasantly familiar that it kind of gives a sense of comfort just to recognize the smell.   For example, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla reminds me of Christmas and some amazing family memories.  And the smell of Old Spice reminds me of hugs from my daddy.  You’re probably thinking of your own “trigger scents” right now. 

In a similar way, time with friends also gives us that sense of comfort.  When we spend time with great friends we walk away with a renewed sense of joy.  We look forward to the next time we get together and we feel encouraged.  Time spent with great friends makes you want to be a better friend too.  The right friends in our lives should be reflective of what my pastor calls the “Right THEY”:

Tough – they’ve got your back and you can depend on them.

Honest – they will be honest and truthful even if it may hurt a little…in love.  Sometimes we need help hiding that little touch of crazy we might have.

Encouraging – they build you up and remind you of what’s important and what your blessings and gifts are.

Yielded – they are yielded to God’s direction in their lives, so it’s natural they will help you stay on track with God’s direction in your life too.

The right THEY in our lives are like the pleasant smell of “perfume and incense” the verse above speaks of.  These friends help us to maintain perspective when life may be spinning.  They share our joy when something great happens.  They share our sorrow when we need a shoulder to cry on.  When we can’t remember what our blessings are and what truths God has for us, these friends help us remember.  Yes, they laugh with us, cry with us, celebrate with us, encourage us and point us in the right direction when we might find it hard in the moment to hide our crazy. 

For some, you may have a whole group of friends that fit into this THEY category.  For others, there may just be one or two.  In any case, take a moment to thank God for them.  And then, take a moment to thank them for being that THEY in your life.  Perhaps this would be a great time to share some popcorn and create more memories.