Karissa在四年级时半途转校，她离开了很多认识多年的挚友；离开那些朋友，尽管令她感到伤心，但她也因为能够认识陌生的人和交到新的朋友而感到兴奋。她在新的学校、新的教会、和在骑马场交到一些好朋友，同时她也与以前学校的一些朋友保持着联系。
友谊不是常常容易维系的。朋友之间的关系会有经历考验、争执、意见不合、和各自忙碌的时刻，在这个过程中，我们会交到新朋友，旧的友谊有时会褪色。朋友对我们的影响有好有坏，维系友谊是需要下功夫的；然而，在最佳的情况下，友谊能带给我们很多益处；真正的朋友不仅支持我们，他们更向我们提出挑战；他们接受神造我们的样子，又帮助我们在基督的恩典和慈爱中成长。
圣经中记载了一些关于深厚友谊的故事，大卫和约拿单的友情，是一个在极大困境中仍然不变的好例子（撒母耳记上 19-20）。经得起考验的友谊，时常都是满有爱的。
谁是你的朋友？你怎样支持和鼓励他们？而他们又怎样支持和鼓励你呢？你与朋友的友谊是否时常都满有爱？
父啊，求你帮助我们，照你的吩咐去爱人，在我们的友谊中实践彼此相爱。奉耶稣祈求，阿们。
箴言 17:17
17朋友乃时常亲爱，弟兄为患难而生。
"A friend loves at all times. . . ." - Proverbs 17:17
Karissa switched schools in the middle of fourth grade. She left behind a lot of good friends whom she had known for years. Though she was sad to leave those friends, she was also excited to meet new people and make new friends. She has made some great friends at her new school, at church, and at the stables where she rides horses. She also stays in contact with some of her friends from her previous school as well.
Friendships aren’t always easy. Friends go through seasons of trial, arguments, differences of opinion, and busy schedules. Along the way, new friends are made, and old friendships sometimes fade. Friends can influence us for good and for bad. Friendships can be a lot of work. But when they are at their best, friendships are also very rewarding. Real friends support us and also challenge us. They see us for who God intended us to be, and they help us grow in the grace and love of Christ.
The Bible contains stories of deep friendships. David and Jonathan’s friendship is a great example of one that lasted through deep difficulties (1 Samuel 19-20). Friendships that endure are filled with love all the time.
Who are your friends? How are you supporting them and encouraging them? How are they supporting and encouraging you? Are your friendships filled with love at all times?
Father, help us in our friendships to love each other as you have called us to love. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
