The Upper Room Devotional 16 June 2026, Tuesday Message
Abiding Friendships
Gail Wamsley (Virginia, USA)
Today’s Reading
John 15:9-17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
It’s spring, and flowers are in full bloom. Yesterday as I took a walk, I noticed a neglected flower garden. The flowers were hardly visible for the weeds. I wondered why someone would plant such lovely flowers and then fail to take care of them.
Later that day, I thought about
how much flower gardens and friendships have in common. Flowers need attention to survive and flourish — one must pull weeds, provide enough water, and occasionally add fertilizer. Friendships also need care and attention.
I have been blessed with wonderful friends who have enriched my life in many ways. I treasure them but realize I have neglected them during the last few years. I plan on doing a better job of tending my garden of friends. A call, visit, word of encouragement, or occasional helping hand is all it takes to keep a friendship flourishing.
I think God wants us to have friendships. The Bible contains numerous references to friends and gives many examples of abiding friendships like David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, and Jesus and his disciples. We must not let the busyness of life lead our treasured friendships to languish and wither but rather attend to our friendships so they can flourish.
Thought for the Day
My friendships are gifts from God that I need to care for.
Prayer Focus
My friends
Today’s Prayer
Loving God, help us to appreciate the friends we have and to put in the work required to be the friends you designed us to be. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 16 June 2026 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More