To my past

Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. --Romans 13:8

For a long time, I felt obligated to be your friend. I felt obligated to maintain our friendship -- guilty when my efforts on behalf of both of us failed, and miserable that my efforts were not enough. I believed that I owed you our friendship; I owed the universe our friendship.

Now, however, I realize that love and friendship are two different things. Friendship is a mutual involvement, and for a long time we have been a long way from mutual. Friendship is a supportive relationship; but without a relationship at all, there can be no support, no loyalty, and no trust.

Love, on the other hand, is something entirely different. Love is the sincere desire to see you happy and to see your life turn out splendidly. Love wants the best for you and sees the best in you. It hopes for you, prays for you, and roots for you. It acknowledges the beauty in you and bows to the God in you.

I may not know what happened with you within the this week, last month, or the previous year. You may have moved. You may have married. You may have found a thousand new friends who are better for you than I ever was. I certainly have found a few who fit that bill. You and I may not have a friendship, but you will always have my love.