March 21, 2026

We should carefully consider who we choose as friends. We also need to be certain we caution our children to do the same. A young woman, the daughter of a friend, went through a rebellious phase at 17 years old. She chose scary friends, people who loved risky behavior. One night she drove the getaway car for friends committing an armed robbery. All involved were caught, tried and sent to prison, including her. Now, decades later, she still lives a judged and compromised life because her reputation was ruined. A life lost because she had no guardrails and she chose a lawless life.

Not every mistake leads to such extreme consequences. The friends we choose do play a role in the paths we take. Friends influence our choices in education, career, spiritual life, habits and every aspect of behavior. If we’re involved in sports, it can lead to college scholarships, professional teams, and career opportunities. Other friends might encourage military careers which often lead to service careers in law enforcement or fire fighting. Friends can encourage moral choices. Decisions to stay away from smoking, alcohol and drugs. It is difficult to overstate the importance of our friends on the quality of the life we lead.

Lord, I pray You give me wisdom when I choose my friends. I ask You to lead me to people who will help me make life decisions that guide me to the destiny and plan You designed for me before I was born. Father, good friends pray with us, they cheer our victories and they remind us of Your goodness and the blessings You pour generously into our lives. Help my children, Lord, give me the words to say that will convince them of the value of like-minded friends and people around them who will always strive to make the world a better and a safer place.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12