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Investing in relationships long term brings great reward and return. Often a relationship becomes comfortable and familiar – out of the blue comes a shinier and more exciting person and off we go leaving the familiar behind for the potential of the shiny and new which isn’t always as beautiful as it looks. We leave a wreckage of bewildered cast- offs behind us as we continually strive to be surrounded by what’s new and exciting. When life gets hard, the current crowd often doesn’t know us enough to really fill a need we have in that moment and we then look back at our “old clothes pile” hoping someone will stand up and come alongside us but they have moved on . Do you really want to keep changing your “people”?

It’s good to make new friends and to grow but if your “ bests” are always changing then perhaps it’s time to look inwards and re- evaluate why you’re never just satisfied with where you are and who’s there with you . Remember they are there to stand alongside you but you are also there to stand alongside them .

I see so many changing social circles, partnerships in business, romantic partners and every other kind of partnership . Each time “this is the one “ turns into “ what or who is next ? ”.

We are in a time where everything is fast and whatever we want is at our fingertips. We type our desire into a search engine, type in a few credit card details and it’s ours.

It’s easy to see why we are never satisfied with the now when we really don’t have to settle for anything. The next best thing is always right there.

I remember when we bought a new TV a few years ago. It had all the latest technology – half of which we never figured out and still don’t use -only to find out a few months later that our TV was outdated and apparently needed to be upgraded! Needless to say the TV stayed put and is still used as a TV and functions perfectly well.

Cars, TV’s, cellphones, running shoes,sunglasses and now people! All exchangeable but only the last one is the true loss if it has value to us.

Think before you look for shiny in relationships. Fix what’s broken, invest time and energy to find out what you can do to make a friendship stand the test of tine.

Some of my most satisfying relationships go back to when I was a pre- teen and are still going strong today. These people knew me before I became who I am today and with them I have no need to impress or be impressed. They are a strong and reliable fixture in my life and I’m so grateful for each and every one who has stood by me and shared their journeys with me. They aren’t the shiny and new models but the reliable and steadfast rocks in my life.

Look around you and see who has nurtured you and where you find comfort and acceptance .Ask yourself if you offer those things in return? Do you really want to give that up for the exciting and new possibilities?

The Bible says in Proverbs 27:9 that “ Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.”

My prayer for you today is that you won’t forgo the fragrance of that friendship for the heady scent of the unfamiliar .