Pastor Bill Hayden
Friendships are vital in maintaining good mental and social health. It’s very rare these days to have good friends in our lives because people over time move on. The recent loss of a spouse or friend can cause a person to isolate themselves. Sometimes it could extend into years after your loss, as the waves of grief continue to consume.
Some might be thinking, “Well, you can always talk on your phone or zoom these days.” I know that sounds good but it may only satisfy a portion of what you really enjoy from friendship. There is nothing like face to face, embracing and sharing a place at the table together.
There is something within our human spirit that craves affirmation from others and some are affirmed by a favorite pet. While pets can be good and fun to have, they can never take the place of another human being. Some people may differ with me on that statement but you and I can never be replaced by an animal. I do realize that there are those special pets who seem to have some human characteristics and they fulfill a certain need. We may choose to select an animal to keep us company but the reality is there’s nothing compared to another human being who was created a little lower than the angels.
I think that future generations are being isolated through the intervention and expansion of technology. The increasing use of cell phones, PC’s and other technological devices prevent people from face-to-face interaction. People of my generation and perhaps your generation prefer the old-fashioned way of personal contact and developing friendships with people rather than objects.
Over a lifetime, you may have one or more people in your life that you could call a friend. As they say, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” John15:13 NLT “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
If you are in need of friendship, you can find it in our Chapel. Please join us at the Villages Community Chapel in Cribari Auditorium, every Sunday at 10a.m. to be encouraged over the Word, and enjoy a cup of coffee and cookies with friends. The chapel is a place for needs to be met, faith to be affirmed and new friends to enjoy.
You can view our worship services on YouTube at Villages Community Chapel San Jose, CA.
If you are experiencing grief in your life, it’s not too late to come to our grief share class classes on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 5:30 pm at Evergreen Church 2750 Yerba Buena. If you would like to join, please call Pastor Bill’s office at 408-238- 3079.