How many friends do you have? Possibly more or less than you think.
We have many acquaintances in life but not that many close friends. How many people know you and still love you and want to be around you?
So many of our relationships are surface relationships. People only know your surface. They don’t know your hurts, fears, problems, stresses, failures and so much more.
Most likely, your spouse or significant other knows you well and still loves you and is there for you. Most parents are there for their children and grandchildren, but they are family. You don’t really consider them friends because the relationship is deeper and more intimate. However, it’s nice if you feel like you have family who are friends.
A friend will be there regardless of success or failure. They rejoice in your successes and hurt with you in your failures. Friendship supports, helps and communicates. Most of us don’t communicate unless we feel it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to talk to someone who is going to blister you with judgement and condemnation. A good friend will listen and try to steer you in the right direction without emotionally debilitating you. No one wants to share their aspirations or pain with someone who is a know-it-all.
Some of your best friends may not be the people you run around with all the time. They actually may be those people you just see occasionally but when you do see them, there is a peaceful bond of respect, love and open dialogue.
A real friend will try to come to you if you need them. A real friend will help problem-solve with the assurance that whatever you are talking about won’t go any further. A real friend can keep your secrets, if you have any. A real friend will not stab you in the back or cut your throat.
Life can be interesting with the people we encounter along the way. We meet a lot of good people. We meet some who are not so great. It’s critical to our well-being that we are able to know the difference.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus certainly did that.
Give thanks today for your friend, or friends. It’s always good to make a new friend and it’s certainly worthwhile to maintain an old one, if it’s a good one.
