“ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NIV
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NIV
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NIV
I have been thinking about imaginary friends for a couple of months. I’m not sure what triggered these thoughts, but somehow, I felt a story might be in there somewhere. Until recently, I had pushed this subject to the back of my mind since I didn’t feel I had any content for such a story. Then, after seeing a movie a few weeks ago entitled “The Unbreakable Boy,” the nudge was still there to write on the subject and, of course, make it with a spiritual twist.
Because I grew up with six siblings, I never had an imaginary friend, but I know some who have. Since I have not had that particular experience, it’s hard for me to understand what goes on inside the mind of a child who has a make-believe friend. Perhaps the child creates such a friend out of loneliness and the desire to have a playmate. I would think that many who are the only child in their family might conjure up such a friend. At any rate, I believe these “friends” seem real to the child who created them.
In the movie “The Unbreakable Boy,” the dad, the grown-up in the story, is the one with an imaginary friend who has been with him since childhood. Occasionally, he talks to his friend, who is also a grown man. He looks to his imaginary friend for advice regarding his problems, shares deep thoughts, etc., as if they are sitting side by side. As you might guess, the dad has a lot of issues that need to be addressed before he can be the husband and father God made him to be. The story turns out quite well, with the dad changing his ways, turning away from his destructive habits, and saying goodbye to his longtime imaginary friend.
Have you ever considered how those who do not know Jesus see Christians? Do they believe that our faith is unfounded and that Jesus is just an imaginary friend? I think many unsaved people do tend to see Jesus as someone who is not real—someone who we Christians hold onto because we are weak and need a crutch to get through life. There is no doubt that acquaintances and family members alike feel that our beliefs and practices are a waste of their time. How far from the truth they are! My heart mourns for them to know the incredible power of Jesus and His love.
When speaking to His disciples, Jesus called them friends (John 15:15 NIV). The Bible tells us that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24 NIV). He is always with us via the presence of the Holy Spirit, whom we received the moment we trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Unlike an imaginary friend, Jesus is real. He can be found in an instant when a repentant heart seeks Him. He is there when we need comfort and peace. He understands what we go through because He experienced every emotion, pain, grief, and temptation that we have. The difference is that He was sinless.
We all begin our walk with the Lord at the same place—in simple, childlike faith, believing He is who He said He is and asking Him to come into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior. We don’t need super-strong faith to receive Him; instead, Jesus says we will be saved if we have faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20 NIV). Do you know how small those things are? They are teeny tiny.
There’s more to salvation through Christ, though. We don’t want to stay babes in Christ. We want to grow and discover the wonders of His great love for us. We grow in Christ as we read and study God’s Word. We learn to pray, sometimes not knowing what to say, but with the assurance that the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf when we experience those times. Sometimes, our prayers may seem feeble, and we may stumble, but God hears them all because He looks at our hearts’ intent. In time, with practice and the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we develop a better rhythm of prayer. We also grow spiritually by attending a Bible-believing church where we will find like-minded believers who help us grow as we worship and interact with one another. We then ask Him to fit us for service so that we might tell others how faith in Christ brings not only eternal life but a joy-filled life while we are here on earth. When we know Him, we will not want to keep it to ourselves!
I am thankful that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is not just an imaginary friend. We have felt His presence in our lives time after time after time. We have seen Him answer prayers and work in ways that could only have come from Him. Receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is the most important thing we could ever do. He promises to be with us until the end of the age, and then we are promised a home in Heaven with Him for all eternity. This friend of ours, our Lord and Savior, is the One we need to get us through the trials and tribulations we will face because He told us He would do that and so much more. I am thankful that with Him, we have a solid anchor to hold onto when times get rough, for we know that He will always bring us through. His reliability in doing what He promises will be our security in the storms of life, and His untold blessings give us humility and deep appreciation for loving us that much. His presence brings comfort and reassurance, making us feel secure and at peace. Our relationship with Jesus will never fail to bring us joy and fulfillment, uplifting our spirits and filling our hearts with contentment. No imaginary friend could ever do that for us.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, in love and wisdom, You sent Jesus Christ to earth to live as a man, yet He was fully God. He fulfilled His earthly mission by dying on the cross for the sins of the world, making it possible for us to come to Him, accept and believe in Him, and be saved for all eternity. Thank You, Father, for giving us this Savior and friend. It is unimaginable that You love us that much, but we know that Your plan for the redemption of humanity was good. Help us live in such a way as to demonstrate by the life we lead that Jesus is not just an imaginary friend but that He is real and ready to bring joy and peace to all who will claim Him as Lord and Savior. I pray for all those who do not yet know Him–that they will be convicted and convinced that their life can best be spent as a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. I pray this in His name and for His sake. Amen.
I was one of 5 children in my family, but I had an imaginary friend. Perhaps it was because my nearest sibling was a brother 5 years older. My sisters were 10 & 11 years older, with another brother 15 years older. I’m not sure how long I had my “friend.” I do remember playing by myself a lot because I wanted to play house and dolls, but had no one to play with me. My brother only wanted to play cowboys and Indians or baseball, but I didn’t play as well as he wanted me to. Also, I can remember living in 5 houses by the time I started school, but I know it was more from hearing the others talk. I didn’t have a chance to make friends since we didn’t always stay long (being a PK). My 4 years in high school was the longest I’d ever lived in one place. However, my imaginary friend seemed to move on when I started school and made real friends that I got to see on a daily basis. Sometimes I wish that I had grown up with the same set of friends as you did, but I really wouldn’t change my experiences. I have many friends in many places. And when I’ve been able to reconnect with those, it’s as if we’d never been apart. But, since they’re not always around, I am so thankful that God is my best friend. He never leaves and I can’t leave Him ever.
Jackie, thanks so much for your response. I was highly interested in the account of your imaginary friend. I fit right in with two brothers who were closest to my age. We had fun playing with our toy guns and holster sets. Our play time was only as good as our imaginations would allow. I have many fond memories of these times with Jimmy and Randy.
As earlier memories of events at Hemphill ISD fade, especially from elementary school, I am grateful for social media’s role in keeping us connected with our school friends from long ago. All of us went our separate ways: went to college, got married, and raised our families. Now, here we are in the sunset years of life, able to keep in touch via social media and even this blogsite of mine. Now we can pray for one another as those requests come forth and brag on each other’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It’s a pretty sweet place to be, considering we are old. Ha!
I am thankful you and your family spent those four years in Hemphill. As a pastor, I know that your dad made such a difference in the lives of many Sabine Countians. You have accomplished much, including, but not limited to, your career, serving as a pastor’s wife, and becoming a published author. God has been with you all the way!
Our experiences over the years, though sometimes difficult, have helped to bring us closer to and more dependent on God. He is so good at giving us friends in each season of our lives. As you said, I am thankful that God is our best friend. We can never go wrong with Jesus at the center of our lives. I am amazed how many of those school friends are firm believers today. In that respect, Sabine County was good for us. It was a great time of life centered around faith and family. Oh, that we could bring back those times again. So many need Jesus.
Take care. God bless. My thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
Thanks so much, Jackie. Although we didn’t run with the same crowd in high school, I’m thankful for this time that God has allowed us to share our friendship. His timing is always best. Take care, my friend. God bless.
Thanks so much. You have my prayers as well. It’s odd that we weren’t as close in high school, but you’re the only one that I keep up with now—because of your blog. Take care. Jackie