In the following, I am not abdicating my personal responsibility, or seeking to blame others for my downfall. I am completely responsible for my decisions. My intention is only to point out that we have the ability to influence one another; for good, or evil. When tragedy strikes, you find out who your friends are! My friends weren’t there for me; perhaps because they felt guilty or needed to go on with their lives. I cannot interpret their motives. All I know is they weren’t there when I needed them the most.

Be cautious in your friendships. Proverbs 12: 26 states “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” You will be associated with whom you hang out with.

This is a call for you evaluate how you are being influenced, and how you are influencing others; 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be mislead; bad company corrupts good character.” Oftentimes our desire for acceptance will cause us to compromise our character. Don’t value the opinion or friendship of others over what you know to be right!