“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Galatians-1-10/

I decided on this topic when talking to a parent of one my earlier babies.  One thing we tend to forget, and overlook, is how the kids are taking going back to school from being out for over a year.  Just like the adults returning to the work force, we have changed.  We don’t look the same, we don’t act the same and our outlook on life is now different.

The Scripture

The scripture asks are we trying go win over man or God?  Are we here to try to please man because if we are we cannot be a servant for Christ.  Our goal in life should be to do the right things, help those who are in need and be a living testimony to what God can (& will do) in our life.  For some this is an easy task, for others it becomes a question of what is there purpose in this life.

Peer Pressure

It said, “Peer pressure is the influence wielded by people within the same social group. It is also the term used to describe the effect this influence has on a person to conform in order to be accepted by the group. Often, peers are thought of as friends, but peers can be anyone of a similar status such as people who are the same age, who have the same abilities, and who share a social status.” What Is Peer Pressure? (verywellfamily.com)

This is how our children, and adults, try to fit in with others like them.  Athletes hanging with athletes, smart kids hanging with smart kids, etc.  This is because we feel comfortable with people like us.  Now the other side of that is those who feel they don’t fit in with any group.  They are not very athletic, they don’t feel they are that smart and they don’t see themselves making friends with anybody.  I’m here to tell you that’s okay.

You Don’t Need A Crowd

Like I’ve said before, you don’t need a crowd of friends just a couple of good ones.  Friends that will be happy with you, sad with you, confused with you and angry with you.  Friends that when you are so angry give you your space to vent but wheel you back when you start talking foolishness.  They are not afraid to step up to you when you are wrong and will do all they can to keep you from getting yourself into trouble.  If you had crowd friends, not all will be there for you when you need them the most.  I have seen enough to know in a crowd of friends, some are jealous of you and will do whatever they can to hurt you emotionally, physically and mentally.

To Have One Good True Friend (or 2)

I have been in a crowd of “so called” friends and I have had a couple of true friends and I love the true friends.  You can survive, and have a lot of fun, with just a couple friends…I have.

I have this best friend, M&M, and we have been besties for over 32 years!!!!  We have had blast.  She was just as nuts as me which is why we clicked our freshman year in high school.  All through high school it was me and her laughing, playing, enjoying life.  With M&M, I did not need a crowd of people, we were loud enough to sound like crowd of people. 

We kept each other grounded and out of trouble, well, she tried to keep me out of trouble (remember me always getting grounded) but we were there for each other when needed.  It’s why I say you don’t need a lot of people to feel important, seen or valued. You find that one true friend, like I did, and you get all that wrapped into one person and will have good school memories to share with other (like I do).

What Does All This Mean For You?

It means don’t go looking for friends, let them find you.  You should never change who you are to “fit in”.  They can either accept you for you or they can keep it moving.  True friends like you for you, not who you can pretend to be on any given day.  True friends are loyal to one another without anyone having a hidden agenda.  Always be yourself, stay true to who you are and never let anyone try to change you so they can be your friend.  There are others just like you that would love to be your friend, but are you paying them any attention or are you still trying to fit in?

Motivational:  Motivational – RevStefanie73

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Peer Pressure: What Is Peer Pressure? (verywellfamily.com)