“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV

Coco, my family’s little shih-tzu, had something in her mouth. I had just walked in the door after a day of work, and she usually greets me with a wag of the tail and a toy in her mouth.

But this was no toy. It was a small barbecued rib bone, a pile of which had been left on a plate on the stove.

Zelda, our family’s fluffy black cat, would have been the ultimate culprit, the only one daring and agile enough to venture onto the countertop. She sat on the kitchen floor, a short distance from Coco, who was wagging her tail. If they could talk, they would have proudly said, “Look what we did today!” We might call them partners in crime, these pets who undoubtedly worked together to secure a tasty treat.

Ecclesiastes is a book filled with observations about what makes life truly meaningful. The importance of partnership is paramount in creating a more fulfilled life. Research shows that individuals who maintain positive social interactions with others have better life satisfaction. Whether through friendships, a marriage, work relationships, or familial bonds, those who are close to others will always have someone to “help them up,” as 4:10 states.

And you never know when you might need someone to throw you a bone! 

Prayer: Father, thank you for my friends and companions. They are a gift from You.