You all remember the days when you were friends with everyone. It didn’t matter if you were athletic, if you liked math or reading, or even if your clothes matched.
You shared your crayons with everyone.
You played with everyone at recess.
And, most importantly, you got along with everyone.
I had a revelation in the latter part of my wonderfully long senior year.
Anywho, one night, I sat at a table with my best friend and two guys I was not very well acquainted with.
We kept the conversation light, throwing a few jokes around here and there.
I was more focused on trying to do Anita Lemons’ homework — yes, Señora, sometimes I do actually do your homework — than keeping up a conversation.
All of a sudden the boys’ comments took a downhill turn.
The jokes became more inappropriate, and I became more uncomfortable. Pretty soon, I decided it was time for me to leave. I took one look at my friend, and we decided to book it.
When I got home, I felt there was something wrong with me. Maybe I just didn’t have a good sense of humor. Or perhaps I’m just a little too uptight on certain things.
But, no, I don’t think that’s it.
So what if I am conservative, Lutheran and listen to Fox News?
How those boys were talking wasn’t me. And that’s my revelation. As we grow up, it becomes more and more important to surround ourselves with people with similar beliefs.
No, don’t seclude yourself from everyone with a differing opinion. But, when it comes to people you are with everyday, it’s important they have the same values as you because, like it or not, they influence you.
Life is more than just sharing crayons now. It’s about making life decisions based off what you think is right and wrong.
And I can say, despite what people may think due to my colorful language, my Christian friends are the people I want around me for the rest of my life.
Staying true to what the Bible teaches is important to me, and I want friends who will support me and tell me when I’m going against what I am supposed to do.
Find what’s important to you.
In college and for the rest of your life, you will make decisions that define who you are. You’ll want to have the voice of a friend who looks out for your best interest, who has the same values as you.
Like it or not, the people you associate with have an impact on your life.
With that in mind, now is the time to take a step back and look at the people who surround you.