Cicero was one of the greatest thinkers of the Roman Empire. He was a
skilled orator, lawyer, politician, linguist, and writer. Still today he is
quoted for his clear prose and practical wisdom.
For instance, of having friends he wrote: “Friendship improves happiness
and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.”
He understood the double benefits of friendship along life’s journey.
Nearly a millennium earlier, King Solomon had written about the value of
friends as well. In Ecclesiastes we read, “Two are better than one, because
they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his
companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help
him up” (4:9-10). Certainly a life without friends makes our sojourn lonely and
hard to bear.
That famous Roman and that Jewish king were right: Friends are
important. Friends serve as confidants, counselors, and burden-sharers.
Think about your friends. Have you been neglecting those God has
provided to share your joys and sorrows? If so, seek out one of your friends
for fellowship this week. Remember, “two are better than one,” because a friend
can double our joy and divide our grief.
Friends are flowers in the garden of life. (RBC)
