Beauty in Friendship

I live in The Enchanted Castle. My roommates and I have designed each of our individual rooms to remind us of our homes, a place of comfort and sanctuary. I live in the library. Although it may not sound like an ideal living situation, the gift of the library meant the world to me and quickly became my place of retreat and relief. The people of that poor provincial town never understood me, anyway. My roommates on the other hand understand me all too well:

Poor Cinderella was only ever seen as a housemaid in her hometown. When she fell in love with Prince Charming at the ball and started her happily ever after with him only a few short days later, she was quick to remark that her room in the Enchanted Castle would resemble that of her beloved ballroom.

And Ariel and Rapunzel may go home to a castle, but their upbringing under the sea or in the tower, respectively, was where they grew up, all they ever knew of a home until only a short while ago. So naturally, The Enchanted Castle would also come complete with a room designed for life under the sea as well as a room up near the cloud line in the tower.

Adorning the walls of our quaint little castle are uplifting bible verses and scriptures. What else could make The Enchanted Castle more complete than words of the Lord? Each one of us has learned that the Lord is, quite frankly, the only thing that can truly complete anything, or anyone, for that matter.

That is what I call home.

…But let’s be real. If you asked any of my other friends about my home, they would all say the same generic thing: a simple apartment in a small college town; not fancy or elegant or even grand by any means, but it gets the job done. 

They would comment that my name is Sarah, not Belle, and that I live with three other friends who have names that don’t resemble those found plastered around Walt Disney World. I lead a generic college student life, with the same worries and dreams as any other undergrad.

But they simply don’t understand.

We don’t call our apartment The Enchanted Castle because we are naïve little girls who believe in love at first sight and happily ever after. We call our apartment The Enchanted Castle because we are four 21-year-olds who simply like Disney.

We believe in the outcome of hard work and the simple but truthful knowledge that love isn’t easy.

But most importantly, we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which gives each of us eternal life.

Our faith in the Lord has become the foundation of our friendship. Our shared morals and values are built upon that foundation and our simple love for the same movies, extracurricular activites, and worldly subjects become the cherry on top. Our friendship is deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, creating a bond that is not easily broken.

There is beauty in friendship. We are not made to be alone. We were created with the need for companionship. The Lord delights in friendships:

            "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." 
                                                                                                  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)