I was listening to a man speak about association, and he said that if I would show him my friends, he could show me my future. I have found that to be very accurate as I have looked back over my life. I by no means want to insinuate that I have arrived, because that is definitely not the case for me or anyone else. Looking back, I can identify several of my friends at the time of my teen age years that would have taken me down a dark road if I would not have  gotten involved in sports. Sports consumed just about all of my time and energy, and as a result, those relationship starved and eventually died. As I came and went to my games and practices, I could see my friends behaviors for what they really were. It then dawned on me that I was behaving in the same manner but could not see it because I was so deep in it. I was put back by their behavior and the fact that I was doing the  same kind of things. Fortunately for me, something came along and jerked me out of  that which would have taken me down a very destructive path. Even as adults, we have to watch who we align ourselves with. I tell my kids often that those that encourage us to go down those dark roads are afriad and do not want to do the work required to go in the other direction, and would rather sidetrack others so that they can be comfortable. Those of us giving good effort to do right, makes those that are not giving the effort extremely uncomfortable.

Rhon Johnson

.

 Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.