The Rest of True Friendship
Confidences by Frank Bramley
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon and two friends sit together in the parlor. Everything is relaxed and quiet. The cat stretches lazily on a lap contented with "strokes from a friend." One friend sits at the feet of the other, who from her chair gazes with loving eyes and a kindly smile.
The artist has caught a magical moment between two dear friends. They are at rest with one another, bathed in quiet and thought. Activity isn't needed. Just to BE together is enough. To be able to rest together means there is a bridge of trust. There will be no gossiping or jealousy or betrayal. They want the best for each other. They want to share with each other more than what's on their minds. They can go deeper with each other -- to the heart and that takes time.
TIME -- this scene leaves you feeling that you have all the time in the world. This painting illustrates the rest of true friendship which few people actually know. You can't know the rest of true friendship if you are not at rest in yourself.
Do you find yourself comparing yourself with your friends? Are there hints of jealousy that creep into your thinking because they are doing something better? Are you wanting to be first, better or best at the expense of the other? If yes is your answer to any of these questions then you'll never know the rest of true friendship.
You must be satisfied with who you are. God has made you just right and there is no need to compare. "Count others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3b Only then will you be able to experience this rest of true friendship and be able to enter into the depth and rest that God has for us in His gift of friendship.