Garden Of Friendship

Last night I had a walk with a Best Friend of mine, Christ. He said He wanted to give me a gift, so I couldn't resist. I was taken to this garden called, "The Garden of Friendships", the best place to pick a friend, so I've heard.

"All the friends in this garden are sorted and labeled by characters and personalities, you may pick as many as you want," Christ smiled.

"Hmm. I'd rather have them sorted by height, weight, race, skin colors. It's easier that way."

"It's not how The Owner does it."

"OK."

So I looked around. The first friend I saw labeled, "Fun. Sanguine. Talk behind your back."

"Hahaha.. I have plenty of this kind already," I smirked.

"How is it going with them?"

"At first.. It was ok. They were fun to hang out with, they cheered me up during my low moments.. But as the time went by, knowing them in the inside is very much a pain. They talked behind my back more than they breathed. I don't want that kind of friends, Christ."

We walked through the aisle, and there they were. A group of friends labeled "People pleaser."

"What is this kind?"

Christ sighed, "The one who do things according to your wants. Always there to please you."

"Nice. I want one."

"Really? But they do the exact same thing to everybody else they meet.. Even if what they say to them later contradict what they said to you earlier."

"Ah. That kind. I had too many."

"Bad experiences?"

"Tell me about it."

"That's why we need forgiveness, you know. Try to forgive them."

"I'm done forgiving! I'm done with people stomping on my hearts way too many times, Christ. I seriously have a high expectation for this next gift You want to give me. I hope this next friend will be a true friend."

"What do you expect? A kind a friend who will never hurt you?"

"Yes! Especially when I have already tried so hard to become one for everyone."

Christ looked deeply into my eyes, He held my hand as we kept walking.

"Supportive, but a back-stabber. Sweet talker, but a liar. Passionate, but ambitious. Loving but judgmental. How come there's always the 'buts'? Is it so hard to find a good friend around here?" I stepped back and starred at Christ with a hopeless set of eyes.

"Well, they are human. And so are you."

"Christ.. You are my One and only Best Friend.. And I think I only need one best friend in life. I can live without them, and simply be with You.. Right? Can we just get out of here? I feel sick looking at all of them."

Christ stood in front of me with that look.

The same look I had when I met that "back-stabber" friend.

The same look I had when someone crushed my heart over and over again.

The look that says, "It hurt me deeply, but I have forgiven and love you anyway."

"Why do you have that look? What did I do to you?" I asked.

He smiled bitterly. Suddenly a man came running towards us.

"Christ!"

"Yes?"

"The next batch of friends has just arrived. You ready to meet them?"

I was shocked. What has Christ got to do with "The Garden of Friendships"?

"Christ, what is this all about?" I asked Him.

"Beloved.. I took you here because I am The Owner of the garden."

"What??? Are you saying that you know all of these liars.. Back-stabbers.. Sweet talkers.. and you want me to be friends with them?"

"Yes. I KNOW THEM. They are My best friends. I once died for them.. And also did for you."

I was stunned. I was heart broken. I cried.

Christ wiped off my tears, and then He hugged me.

He whispered, "Everything is going to be okay.. Just hang in there, My dear. As I have forgiven you, forgive them."

* * *

The more I meet those who break my heart, the more I witness His sovereign love. His love is so deep and so wide until He'd give His only Son to die for such imperfect people like us.