Sunday, February 06, 2011

Friendship or Fellowship? (A Postcript about Facebook...)

Ah, yes, Facebook.  And more specifically, Facebook "friends."  If you read my previous blog about friendship and fellowship, and if you have any Facebook friends, you may have discovered that term is sometimes a misnomer.  Let me illustrate.

A number of years ago, Carla and I loaned nearly $1,500 to some folks in a church we were serving.  They were a young family with three little kids and their house was going up for Sheriff's sale.  The church had helped them to the point of fatigue, so they approached us.  We agreed to pay their tax bill and they agreed to pay up back when they received their income tax refund. 

Well, to make a long story even longer, about six months later, they gave us a check for $500 and the promise that more was coming.  That was the last we ever talked about it.  Carla and I moved on and seldom even speak about it.  It's cool.  You win some, you lose some.

Except a few weeks ago, this person attempted to "friend" me on Facebook.  Really?  Facebook friend?  Now I know you're thinking that they're attempting to send us our money.  Not so much...our new address and information is well published.  Needless to say, I "ignored" their "friend" request.  

At any rate, it just amazes me how we throw around the term "friend."  Fellowship is meant to help us to grow.  Friends are meant for our comfort.  But I'm not sure where the term "Facebook friend" sometimes falls...

PS: Yes, I will agree to be your Facebook friend, even if I don't know you...even if I don't like you...if you'll give me $1,000!   Thanks in advance!