I have been thinking about friendship a lot lately. Since we are all human, we all are imperfect and thus, have various faults and qualities that can get on others’ nerves. Sometimes it’s easy to notice those things in our good friends who we associate with often. It’s easy to dwell on how so-and-so can’t stop going on about his/her pets (that would be me!) or how that person spends way too much time at work (also me!). Why do we do this? We keep going down that road and before long we wonder why we are even friends with some people.

I’ll tell you why: Because they’re there for us. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter about the little things. I have some friends who are as close to me as family. I would walk through fire for them, and they for me. I think that’s why the little things annoy us. It’s because these people are close to us just like our spouse, or parents or siblings. When you have a close relationship with someone, you’re going to notice everything, the good and bad. But in the end, what matters is what is important.

Tracy Lawrence recorded a great song along those lines earlier this year. When things get tough, you find out who your friends are, and you treasure them as some of God’s greatest blessings.

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This ain’t where the road comes to an end
This ain’t where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off