Happy Retro Day! This story deals with relationships, especially friendships that may not be the best for us. I hope it gets you thinking. Enjoy! ~ Halee

by RTF Staff Writer Lydia Rule

Your closest circle of friends will reveal much about your personality, interests, goals, and even spiritual walk with God. Choosing friends wisely is no laughing matter—it’s a serious issue that reflects your heart.

That is why people often look at my family with a suspicious eye. You see, we have a very close friend that is not at all what you would expect from a Preacher’s family with three impressionable daughters.

And yet, this friend, like a bad case of fleas, always sticks to us.

He is inherently lazy, cares very little about work, and sleeps the day away. This, of course, is a trait the Bible shows us is wrong:
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15)

He has a foul mouth (not to mention breath), little moral understanding, considerably rude manners, is very preoccupied with the baser things of life, and yet he is allowed to be around the Pastor’s three girls any time he pleases.

He is certainly not a Christian… he never prays or attends church. And should he attend church, his only purpose would be to distract the congregation from listening to the sermon. Of course, if your mindset is focused on distracting people from listening to God, you should take a look at Proverbs…
“Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” (Proverbs 22:10)

He is a beggar, and yet never ashamed of it. His greatest ambition is to have a blanket, a corner to keep warm in, and to keep his belly full without having to find a job.

But even if you have a bad friend like my family does, should you disconnect yourself from that friend?

The Bible asks a question in Amos 3:3… “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

While you cannot have a close walk with this friend, you can try to show them Christ’s love.

However, in our situation, we have come to accept the fact that no one is perfect.

And neither is the Pastor’s dog.