When I was younger, I had a very good friend. (To be fair, I still have him😉 we just don’t see each other so much anymore)
Trying to think back, I have only really seen him angry or upset once or twice in my life. He used to carry a smallish ball with him wherever we went, because he felt that if you have a ball to play with, you can make a friend.
What a simple philosophy…
We don’t have to agree about politics, economics or scandals. Our living standards don’t matter and our backgrounds are irrelevant – he had a ball, and we could build a friendship before anything else mattered. It didn’t even have to be the “right” kind of ball!
Thinking back, he made friends wherever he went. Throws ball at a stranger, and then introduces himself. We both like balls, we should be friends. Simple. I wonder if still caries his ball?
Romans 12 says: ”… but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody’s friend…” (v17,18)