Dear Auntie Agony,

Lately, my only friend isn’t hanging with me, and my mum offered 4 me to be home-schooled next year. I want to go since I don’t have friends. I don’t know what to do. Please please help me Auntie Agony.

It must be scary to feel like you’ve lost your only friend. But it can turn into a good thing, too. How? It gives you the opportunity to make new friends. How did you make your friend in the first place? Usually we make friends with people who live close to us or who go to school with us. We also make friends at church or when we’re doing things we enjoy. This is true no matter what schooling choice you make. If you choose to be homeschooled, as you and your mom look for homeschool activities to take part in, you’ll have a whole new group of people in your life, all potential new friends. And if you choose to stay at your current school, you’ll have friend making opportunities, too. You will have new classmates and new teachers next year. Maybe having one friend felt like enough so you weren’t aware of other kids who might share your interests or need or want a friend. Maybe you’ll go from one friend to many friends!

God knows we need friends whether we go to school or are homeschooled. Trust Him to help provide you with friends throughout your life. Keep your eyes open to all the kids around you, and keep your mind open to saying, “Hello, what’s your name?” to someone new. Remember, to make a friend, you need to be a friend first. Keep an open heart toward the people you meet. Sometimes the person we think we could never be friends with turns out to be the very person God placed in our path to be our best pal.

Your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8b

I have some friends and they have been teasing me because I go to church every Wednesday and Sunday, (my dad is a pastor) I also get teased because my dad is a pastor, but I love him and his job so what should I do?

It’s hard when people you count on as friends don’t seem very friendly themselves. Teasing is hard to pin down: sometimes people tease in a kidding, loving way with people they are comfortable with. Sometimes when people tease it’s really bullying in disguise. Do these friends normally treat you with respect – or not?

The Bible tells us that when we have a problem, we should bring it up privately and respectfully. Tell your friends, “When you make fun of me for going to church and because my dad is a pastor, it bothers me. I know you wouldn’t want to hurt my feelings so I wanted to let you know.”  See how they handle it. They may apologize, and/or they may simply treat you more kindly, which is cool. If they keep the harsh teasing up, though, it’s time to end the relationship. God never tells us to stay in bullying or abusive situations. Their reaction will show you if they are truly your friends.

One important thing to keep in mind: our value does not depend on what other people think of us. Our great value is in what God thinks of us. And His love never fails.

Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. But answer in a gentle way and with respect. Always feel that you are doing right. The those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed.

1 Peter 3:15B – 16