Friendship

I have been reading a book my Dad gave me a while back called "The Speed of Trust". This book talks a little bit about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and their friendship. When John Adams became the 2nd president Jefferson, being of the opposite political party and receiving the 2nd highest number of votes, was made vice president. The two had grown close while creating the declaration of independence and basically helping establish our country. When they took office Adams expected that he would have Jefferson's full support as he ran the country, but that was not the case. Jefferson wanted to be president and their friendship was greatly strained by the constant butting of heads. Years later Adams was encouraged to extend an "olive branch" to renew the friendship. When he did so Jefferson responded positively and the friendship was renewed. Interestingly enough the two both died 14 years later on the same day, the 4th of July none the less and the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I can't help but think God has a hand on situations like that. Anyway, what really made me think was a quote from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson. It is as follows, "While I breathe, I shall be your friend".

To me this quote says that no matter what may occur, as long as I'm alive I will consider you my friend. That is an expression of a powerful bond and it made me consider some of my friendships. I would say I have a handful of friends that I feel that way about. That no matter what were to happen I would still consider them a friend. Having said that I also remember past friends with whom I felt very close and may have said the same thing but now I am not close with them at all.

These words are moving and the bond that they reveal is definitely something to be strived for. But I would say the quote is also a statement of a commitment. How committed are we to our friends? Are we so committed that we can look past a friends mistakes or shortcommings? Are we so committed that when a friend hurts us, offends us, or casts us aside we are able to forgive and continue to pursue the friendship. If so, is this something we communicate to our friends? I value my friends very much and try to be good to them but I don't know that I have ever told them straight out how much I value them. My name "Jonathan" comes from the Bible and in the Bible Jonathan is best known for his friendship with David. I feel like the quote John Adams made about Thomas Jefferson is one that Jonathan probably would have said to David. I've never been one to say your name and what it means or where it comes from should play any sort of guiding role in your life. But in this particular circumstance I think it gives good insight into the level of friendships God likes to see among his people.

Just some stuff to think about. Enjoy!