We are in a season when it is so common to give and receive gifts. Well, what I mean is that another festive season is approaching, and one thing that is common with every festive season is the giving and receiving of gifts.
A lot of businesses and individuals are planning and preparing items that they will give to their clients, family and friends all in the spirit of the season.
Gift shops are stocking up on several gift items, knowing that shoppers will come visiting. Children and adults alike are right now making wishes or budgets for the gifts they want to give and/or receive.
Unfortunately, there are gifts that may never be found in gift shops as they are priceless and cannot be bought with money. One of such priceless gifts is the gift of friendship (and I mean true friendship). But then, how do we even get access to this?
You see, when I was still a child living with my maternal relatives, one of the grandmothers in the family would always pray a particular prayer. She would say, "Lord, even if you don't give me money, give me the gift of people". I found it difficult to make sense of this kind of prayer or wish until many years later when I had left home for the University.
While in school, I passed through different situations that made me realize that not everyone I called my friend was a friend indeed. It is true that we can define friendship as the relationship between two or more people who have mutual affection concern and respect for one another, but the sad reality is that many so-called friendships are far from looking like this definition. Sadly this was my experience, when I had to be the one trying to maintain the connection, going the extra mile to keep the flow of the friendship, yet being betrayed and neglected by the same people I cared for.
I had to pray my own prayer this way, "Lord please give me the gift of friends that will be friends indeed, friends that truly care for me and value me as a person, friends that would love me unconditionally. Help me to be a true friend to them as well."
Interestingly, from that time, though many years have passed and I have changed my location a couple of times now, I have been blessed with people that fit the description of true friends. I have also tried my best to be a true friend to these lovely people.
Like I said earlier, the gift of friendship cannot be bought. You may be giving and spending so much to maintain a friendship that is draining your energy and resources on the wrong person(s). But once you are blessed with true friends, you will notice that the relationship flows with ease.
I don't have many friends, but the few I have are enough to prove that there is something called the gift of friendship, that prayers can be answered, and that wishes can be granted. It is still my sincere desire and prayer to, not only receive the gift of true friendship but, also to be that gift of true friendship to someone who needs one.
Thank you for reading. This is my response to Day 11 prompt of the #novemberinleo challenge. The images used in this post are free-to-use images from pixabay.com