A marriage, a vow of loyalty and love for life into death, is agreed upon by pen and paper, often under the guidance of pastoral care.

Childbirth, a promise of nurturing adoration, bound in blood and water, with pen in hand declaring a label forever.

Friendships found in commonality, a pledge to secrets and uplifting attitudes, with notes passed in class and texts throughout life, pen to paper in secret ties.

With all of this loyalty that we can find in life, why are so many left jaded, hurt and without an anchor to humanity? Didn’t that pen in hand sign us into a contract tying us to forever?

We have high hopes in marriage, parenthood and friendships but often forget that we are all cut from the same sinful attitudes from the generations before us. Our humanity keeps us in a vice at times that doesn’t allow a breaking of the lock. We blind ourselves to the key that is freely given to us.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Although not seeming hopeful in the attitude that this verse presents at first, it does leave us with a promise that we don’t have to search for in school houses or dating websites. Loyalty is not found in meet-ups or late night feedings. It’s found in something far greater than any person could possibly fulfill.

Once we grab on to the truth of what the Lord Jesus Christ offers us, we can see that these other things will fall into place.

We are not meant to do life alone, but we need to seek the one who gives us life to begin with.

I am sitting by a window listening to the mighty wind kick up. A hurricane is brewing out there on the sea and the trees shake as they prepare for the onslaught of pelting rain. The palms will fight for life and stay strong. The Lord has created them to defeat the wind and to stand as a testament to His love and faithfulness.

I think about those back home who I often feel have forgotten us. We don’t stay in contact with friends and family as we should, and that goes for them as well. Life gets us all caught up that we forget that we are meant for relationships, for loyalty among believers. We don’t need a multitude of friends and close relations, but we need to nurture what we do have because the Lord declares it to be good. Being strong in roots like the palm, is an important foundation in relationships.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Calls and texts have poured in as we batten down the hatches. We have secured potted plants and outdoor furniture with care. Neighbors have been looking out for one another as I stand firm in my faith that we will weather the storm. This reminds me to secure those ties to those who have reached out to me over the days leading up to this point. I need to be more conscious and intentional not to wait before disaster to say, “I love you.”

Loyalty shouldn’t be something that sticks out in a storm, but something that remains strong in all types of weather. In marriage, mothering, friendships and in neighboring, love should guide us. The Lord’s example should always stand as the example.

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV 

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.