A Mom's Prayer for Loyal Friends

Jesus will always be our most loyal and loving friend, and when we follow His lead, we will be able to see the people who have been placed in our...

Meg Bucher

Published May 18, 2023

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17:17 NLT

Loneliness washed over me, sucking my energy back out with its undertow. Over and over, as the tide crept onto the beach, the scenario played over in my mind. I love friends …and it stings to lose one. Motherhood has washed all kinds of friends into my life—new people, seasoned old friends …family bonds, and mother-daughter inside jokes.

Motherhood friendships often begin in the throes of pregnancy as we bond over the preparation to welcome a new life into the world. The toddler years produce library story times and playdates, visits with grandparents and family, and the excitement of discovering a new personality as they wobble and find their way to their first steps. Yet, nothing steels our hearts as those first friends who share in the original seasons of motherhood with us. Pre-school days further connect us to our communities. We watch them connect and grow alongside classmates as we connect with families at the kids’ pickup line on Sundays after service and daily waiting in the hallway for them to bound out of their classrooms.

The days go by, and we continue to accumulate a plethora of people we are now connected to. Our time begins filling up, and we start prioritizing who our favorite people are. These relationships ebb and flow, bringing laughter and comfort as life progresses. But occasionally, loyal friends who stick by us, closer than a brother, as the verse in Proverbs proclaims. When they leave our lives, it’s tempting to give up prioritizing another relationship to replace them. I hate it when a friendship fails or falls away. But I trust the Lord more, knowing He will always have another loyal friend in wait around the corner. Keep loving each other, mommas. Life’s not perfect, nor is any friendship. Jesus will always be our most loyal and loving friend, and when we follow His lead, we will be able to see the people who have been placed in our lives to love …and to love us.

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Originally published May 18, 2023.

Meg Bucher Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.