Yesterday, as I drove Justin to school, we talked about some of his friends - several which he has known his entire life. These are kids that I trust and know are good people to be in his life. As we were talking, I recounted to him a message he received in a birthday card (that I saved) from one of these friends a few years ago. It said:
"Thank you for the being the best friend a person could want."
That is gold to me. To see my son thriving in friendship and for being reliable and trusted. Good friends are not a given, but they are a gift.
And many kids today don't receive that gift, or worse, they receive bullying. Your child (or even you as a child!) may have experienced bullying, as our family did last school year. Thankfully, we received support from the school and it's been remedied, but that is not the situation for everyone. I wanted to ask you to pray for a family that is connected to Union who is experiencing intense bullying and it's flat out wrong and damaging. I'm so thankful to report there have there been Union community members who have stood up for this family. They are not alone in the gap. Please pray for the young people who are involved in this situation - that good will prevail, healing will occur, and friendships could be restored.
I'm so thankful for the work here at Sundays (and beyond!) that Kathy Foster, Olivia Hill, Chandra Jamerson, Grace Lee, Halle Morgan, Summer Lee, Linden Beeman, Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, and others who lead at Union Kids are doing to show children and young teens what friendship looks like. What belonging looks like. What Jesus' love and friendship looks like.
How do your kids experience friendship? Is it something that comes easily or feels more challenging? Can Union support you in any way? Here is a list of books about friendship for younger kids that was complied by a retired Shoreline Public Schools librarian and a staff bookseller at Secret Garden Books in Ballard. Maybe one of these books look good for bedtime reading:
https://www.parentmap.com/article/books-that-teach-early-readers-about-friendship.
As we approach Holy Week, I am reminded that Jesus made it clear to His disciples, you are my friends. He demonstrated that unbreakable friendship to the very end and continues to be the trustworthy friend that we all crave.
After Justin and I talked about the birthday card, he said, "Can I see that card again?" Those words feed his soul and he knows it. Jesus is that kind of friend to us and to our kids: the best friend a person could want.
John 15:15 (NIV)
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)
"A friend loves at al times..."