Wisteria out of control in the Fall

FRIENDS

Do you know what it takes to be a good friend?  Having had some recent events with friends and family over this past week, I've realized how important friendship is to most of us.  With that said, are we good friends to our friends?

A friend most times shares our values.  Maybe not all, but enough so that we enjoy their company and conversation.  We want to do things for our friends.  Cheer them when they are down and celebrate with them when there are reasons to.  We want to spend time with them.  Remembering their birthday and making it special adds joy not only to their life, but ours as well.

A friendship goes both ways.  We do for them and they for us.  When we believe we have a close friend and they keep something from us, we are hurt.  We want to be there for our friends, and in turn hope they are there for us.  When a friend keeps something from and we are hurt we feel slighted. We also question if they don't realize that they only have to ask, and we'll be there.  What if they go out of their way not to let us in on their pain and situations.  Do we question our ability to read our friend?  Do we blame ourselves for missing some "signals, or signs"?  Are we too self absorbed?


We all have friends that mean a lot to us, but as a result of circumstances, we aren't close.  When we get the opportunity, though, we pick up right where we left off.  Distance and raising a family can interrupt a friendship, but the loyalty is still there.  A celebration or a tragedy, and a friend is there in a heart beat.


If it seems like a friend is only receiving from you and you aren't benefiting from the relationship, it is not a friendship.  The best example of a true friend has been provided for us by God our Father, in Jesus Christ.  Look what He did for us, he laid His life down for us!  Wow, talk about an example!


So do some self examination and see what kind of friend you are, I know I have some work to do.  Steve, I wish you had known we would have been here for you, I'm sorry you didn't realize it!