Food For Thought

While at our Retreat this past weekend, between sessions I engaged in what I found to be a particularly simple yet thought-provoking conversation.

The gist of it is was this: Burger King is offering a free Whopper Burger to anyone who de-friends 10 of their "friends".

Through the wonders of Facebook, Burger King (or some genius employed by them - please enjoy my heavy laden sarcasm there) has created an application whereby a person can de-friend 10 people and earn themselves food.

Because we North Americans really need another free burger.

So by this concept, if a Whopper is $3.70 and we have to de-friend 10 of our nearest and dearest, then friends are now valued at $0.37 each. As if we aren't materialistic enough already. We can now place a (cheap) value on friendship...whether superficial or not.

You'll likely recall my feelings on Facebook - my likely biased, completely unprofessional and non-researched opinions on befriending hundreds with whom we have, at some point in the past encountered - even this Whopper concept seems a little harsh to me.

I also think it epitomizes the superficiality of our often materialistic society. Sadly, I think we are losing touch with real friendships. Real feelings. Real reality.

And the reality of life is this: we get one shot. There's no "do over". There's no reincarnation in the form of an ant if you've made poor choices or in the form of a unicorn if you've been some kind of saint.

So, while it's probably a good idea to evaluate and asses our Facebook situation (among other social situations) and cull through those who are simply there as a number; it's probably also in everyone's best interest to limit the price tags we put on friendships.

Friends can be few.

Friends can be many.

We're all individuals.

Unique beings with unique needs and desires and number of friends.

Yet, we're all human. And at the heart of it All, from the beginning of time, we were created with the intention to fellowship. It's not price-worthy. There's no value great enough to be placed on the life of those we love, appreciate, or with whom we face life.

And the cost? If we were to put a price tag on our friends?

In the end we would likely learn that we have made an extremely costly mistake.