What if this whole “make friends” business we push on our kids is BS? I know for many, it perpetuates this idea that we have to ‘make’ people like us, ‘earn’ their love, and for me, personally, (especially when I struggled) it perpetuated the idea that I was flawed, wrong, etc, and needed to change who I was on a core level to be “acceptable” for others to like. (I’m not talking about being a better person; self growth is and should be a given.)
But what if, in reality, we should be teaching discernment? Discerning who loves us for who we are, discerning who chooses our company because they appreciate us, strengths and all? Discerning who stands beside us when it’s rough and cheers us on instead of cutting us down or being mysteriously absent (“busy”)?
And what if, rather than playing mental chess games to win approval, ‘likes,’ dates, whatever, it’s learning how to discern who God (or fate, if you prefer) has placed in our path at certain times for companionship, for love, for encouragement, rather than going out on our own and trying to “make” friends and lovers out of those who were supposed to be neither...?
—deep thoughts from 2pm today.
(Mirrored on Weku)