Friendship

Not to long ago I came across a description of a genuine friend

" A friend is a treasure who loves you as you are, sees not only who you are but who you can become, is there to catch you when you fall, shares your everyday experiences, accepts your worst but helps you become your best, understands your past, yet believes in your future, accepts you today just as you are, and comes in when the whole world has gone out"

We all need people like this in our life, don't we? However, over the last few months I have come across so many people who tell me that they do not have friends. They will say they have acquaintances, people they know and even hang out with but lack that "ride or die" type of friend. The type of individual who sticks with you no matter what. Even more disturbing, I find that they don't know how to develop deep and lasting bonds with others.

If you have real friends as I have described above, NEVER take that relationship for granted. All genuine friendships must be built and nurtured. And if you are searching for that type of friend, please understand that it will require an investment of time, energy, and vulnerability on your part. The value you place on your friends is evidenced by the way you treat them. I could write a book about why so many don't have real friends in their lives, but instead I want to consider what it takes to develop deep and lasting friendships.

First, friendships require time spent together. If you are too busy to schedule time for a friend that relationship simply will not flourish. It's as simple and straightforward as that.

Second, Communication is essential. Initial conversations focus on learning who the other person is but as the friendship develops, we become more transparent. This is a two way process in which people share thoughts and feelings and listen attentively as we seek to understand the other person. As trust grows, we feel safe to talk about things we have never told anyone else. You can't be real friends with someone you don't speak with.

Third, Shared life experiences. We rejoice over each other's accomplishments and sympathize with the defeats, failures, difficulties, trials and heartaches. In other words, you can laugh and cry together. Friends have a special ability to make us laugh at anything, even ourselves. They comfort us when our hearts are broken and they encourage us to go on when we want to quit.

Finally, true friends demonstrate love. Genuine friendships are characterized by gratitude and thoughtfulness. True friends love by being unselfish and loyal. They are quick to help each other, even if it is inconvenient and won't abandon the other person when everyone else does. Friends accept each other's weaknesses and failures and are quick to forgive offenses.

A word to the wise..... If you want to have a friend like this then BE a friend like this.

If you have one person in your life who demonstrates these characteristics than you are most blessed. If you have more than one then you are one of the wealthiest people to ever live.

My hope and prayer for all of us that we experience the joys of mutual friendship. Life is much more enjoyable with good friends to share it with.