Seasonal Friendships

March 4, 2008

by Genel Webb

 Many of us may have, at some point, received a copy of an email entitled “Reason, Season and Lifetime.”   It seems that many people claim to be the author of this writing, so I can’t reference the author with any surety. It is a bit too lengthy to write here but the gist of the writing is that friends come into our lives sometimes for a reason, sometimes for a season, and or sometimes for a lifetime.  I want to focus on the season. Sometimes people come into each others lives and friendships are established for a specific length of time and purpose.  It is for a season — a “seasonal friendship.”   This almost sounds like an oxymoron.  Aren’t friendships forever?  Not all. 

I encourage us not to dismiss them but to embrace and examine these seasonal friendships as they are usually purposeful in our lives. The Word of God, in Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that in all things, there are seasons and purposes.  In thinking about it, I can bear witness to this truth, as it relates to some of my past friendships.  Likewise, in asking others to think back, they too have had these seasonal friendships.  Sometimes the seasonal friendship serves to provoke another to higher heights, to teach another, to share a burden, to walk with another through a valley of decision, or to mentor another.  This list isn’t exhaustive. The purposes are many and sometimes very unique to our lives.  The friendships seem like any other valued lifetime friendship, except in duration.  They are of no lesser significance, however. 

I know a young lady who had been promoted to a new position which was in a new office.  After having been there for 2 days, a woman walked over to her cubicle and inquired how things were going.  She replied, “things are going well; I have a lot to learn, however.”  Without missing a beat, the woman said to the young lady (a 25 year old, who did not have a relationship with the Lord) —- “you’re not here because of what’s on your resume, you’re here because the Lord wanted you to come this way.”   The young lady was polite, so her reply was “yes ma’am.”  Her thoughts were, however, “this lady is crazy and that wasn’t very professional of her.”  She made a mental note to steer clear of her.   As the Lord would have it, however, He began to draw the young lady’s heart to Him but she didn’t quite understand what she was experiencing.  The woman, the “crazy and unprofessional” woman, walked with her through several months of trying to rationalize what she was experiencing and answered many questions about spiritual things.  For many months, for a season, the woman spent time with the young lady during lunches and breaks.  Eventually, she led her to Christ.   They both moved on to other places. For a season, though, they had an intense friendship, for the specific purpose of the young woman’s life being saved.  

Some friends are for a lifetime, but sometimes friends enter our lives for a season.  Embrace seasonal friendships, for there is a purpose.

Posted by admin | Filed Under Relationships 

Comments

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.