Relationship Advice For MenParaugs

Friends

“Among these peaks we stood upon stars. The Milky Way swirled about us and the earth went silver under the pale starlight. This world is so small in comparison to the heavens, and we are so much smaller than that. Small enough to be forever lost in the universe if it were not for the friends we travel with.” Roger Thompson, We Stood Upon Stars

Remember recess and the playground? When friends were sort of just automatic? I met my best friend in second grade when we were playing some made-up sport. He fell and broke his front teeth, I ran over, offered him a hand, and walked with him to the office. A few decades later, he’s a financial executive making million-dollar decisions regularly and nobody but me knows his front teeth are fake.

Scripture makes it pretty clear how important friendship is. Jesus even calls us His friends. We all probably have fond memories of childhood friends. But how do we make new friends as adults?

Maybe the guys at work aren’t always the best influence. Maybe the guys in your dorm don’t have your same life goals—or even your same goals for this weekend. Don’t give up yet.

Friendships aren’t immediate. They take time, and they take trying. Here are five pretty straightforward ways to start a friendship as an adult. 

• Get breakfast or coffee with a guy who seems to have it together in some area that you don’t. 
• Go fishing, cycling, golfing, etc. with a guy or two who love God and their family. 
• Give a men’s group at your church or a church near you a chance. If you don’t like it, try a couple others. 
• If you’re married, getting together with that couple your wife keeps talking about could land you a friend—and points with your wife.
• Next time a neighbor needs something, offer them a hand. Next time you need something, ask the same neighbor.

Watch today’s video, and then pray.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend. Would You help me find the right guy (or guys) to get together with?