Have you ever wanted a friend? We throw that word around pretty casually these days, and it can mean anything from someone you’ve known and laughed with since you were four, to someone you’ve never physically met – the shadowy person behind a Facebook profile.

The friend I’m talking about is the lifetime friend. The one who goes through the battle with you, and then stays around to celebrate your success. Sometimes people help in heartache, then pass on to the next assignment. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but the quote “Friend for a season, Friend for a reason, Friend for life” is true. God sends people into our lives as we need them, and they’re not all meant to stay.

So how do you know if the person you’ve met is a lifetime friend or just passing through? The answer is…you don’t. At least not right away. The proof is in the staying. And how do you find stayer? I believe the same way we receive all our precious gifts. We ask God for them. Ask Him for Divine Connections, then watch Him work. It may take some time, but it will happen.

In the meantime, there are things we can do to help the process along.

1. The Bible tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. When we’re down it’s easy to stay away from church, isolating ourselves from the very people who, underneath, we want to get close to.
2. It sounds like a no-brainer, but be friendly. Go out of your way to say hello and get to know someone’s name. They may want friends, but are too shy.
3. Be patient. God will bring them, but it may take time. There are other people involved, and He has to get the right people in the right place at the right time.
4. Believe He will do what He says. Psalms 37:4 says Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desiresof your heart.

God wants to bless you with friends. We need each other, but if we’ve been hurt by someone, particularly a close friend, we may put up walls. The walls might protect us from hurt, but they cause a different kind of pain. The pain of loneliness.

So if you’re in need of a friend, a true friend, take heart. God loves you and He knows what you need. The friendships He puts together are bonds not easily broken. They are the staying kind.