Sticky Fingers

Can you think of something that is sticky? Glue, tape, honey, syrup, gum, half eaten candy and other substances can create a sticky mess. If you have ever worked or raised younger children you know those sticky substances can wreck havoc on clothes, walls, carpet, and even hair. Most parents have, at least once, had to clip gum chunks out of their child’s hair and try to create a modern hair style. I am one of those people that do not like to have my hands and fingers sticky. Even when I eat hot wings, I hold them as if I was at High Tea with the Queen.

Queen: “Would you like some Crumpets and Earl Grey?”

Me: “No, but I would like a dozen of the Dragon’s Breath Buffalo Hot Wings…and some milk, thanks.”

Although I am cautious with sticky stuff on my fingers, when it comes to our friendships we want them to stick. We desire those close relationships to hold fast through good times and bad, through life changes, through separation, and through the years. The sticky stuff that holds those relationships together are acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, joy, laughter, shared experiences, time, gentleness, patience, kindness and many others, but all fall under the greatest of these, love.

In our Wednesday Kid’s Bible Max class we explored Proverbs 18:24b, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Coming from a home with four younger brothers, I can appreciate how close brothers can be with growing up together, fighting, playing, sharing, pranking and all the rest. I love my brothers and we will be close throughout our lives. We may have a friend, outside of family, come into our lives that fulfills that proverb, but we all have an invitation to a lifelong, and eternal friendship in Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us his friends in John 15:14-17, Jesus says “You are my friends…”, “…I have called you friends”, “…I have chosen you”. To be the friend of Jesus, the Son of God, The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, is an awesome invitation of friendship.

It is out of Christ’s love displayed for each one of us that makes this relationship “stick”. His love, his compassion, sacrifice, gentleness, peace, hope, joy, patience, kindness, and goodness is the glue that makes Him the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I don’t mind that stickiness.

The one thing about getting a little sticky is that when you come into contact with others, they get sticky as well. With our friendships in Christ we can develop “sticky” relationships that hold, and we may even like it.