The Fickle and The Faithful

(Image Source: http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc6ohtA7MX1qbhmovo9_1280.jpg)

Once again I find myself blogging early in the morning about a not-so-pleasant subject. But, it must be done because bottled up emotions are never a good thing. This morning I am venting about fickle friends. OOOOOHHHHH SNAP!!!!! You are probably thinking I am calling out someone specific. These thoughts are inspired by personal experiences, but I am speaking generally. The first thing I want to address is this: Everyone has been a fickle friend at one time. Do not beat yourself up if you have thought badly of a friend, gossiped, yelled, or been physically mean. Those things are terrible, but what truly matters is your heart and what you do to make things right. Friendship is a two-way street; if all persons involved are willing to trust one another and fight together, that relationship will last.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

I have lost more than a handful of friends during my twenty-two years of life. I have grown a thick skin and would even say I have a certain amount of bitterness in my heart towards friendships. However, I would be lying if I said that losing friends does not hurt me in the slightest. No one should ever feel like they are convenient for another person. “Our parents know each other.” “We do the same activity together week after week, year after year.” “We go to the same school and attend the same classes.” I know what it feels like to have compartmentalized friendships. Once those “compartments” are no longer part of your life, the friendships eventually fade away. Why? The convenience is gone, and suddenly the friendships requires effort in order to last. It hurts to share secrets and fears with someone for a significant number of years, and then one day find yourself on the outside looking in at their life. No matter how high your walls are and how thick your armor is, the pain of losing a friend will find its way to your heart and sting. I want to encourage those of you who have had similar experiences and/or feel like you have no friends. You are not alone! Do not give up on yourself! The only people you need in your life are the people who want to be there. I know this has been said a million times in a million different forms, but it is the truth. I would rather have one genuine, through-thick-and-thin friend than numerous fake friends.

*** Cue the friendship quotes and gifs!!

My best friend Gabby :) :D :P