True Friendship...

What does it really mean to have a true Christian friendship?  I have learned over the past few weeks how it feels to be alone, yet lifted up by wonderful and amazing friends that have given unconditionally to our family.

In John 15:13 it says, "Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends".  Jesus' love for us is unconditional, sacrificial, and never selfish.  By valuing what your friends need the most, you are well on your way to love like Jesus.

Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times"....sure a true friend does.  They pick up the phone to make sure you are okay during times of loss, sickness, sadness, or just to see how you are doing.  They don't necessarily want anything from you in return, and are always willing to listen...knowing all along that they may need your shoulder someday also.  In a true friendship, you build each other up.  You receive strength, encouragement, and love.  They listen when you talk, they cry when you cry, and they laugh when you laugh. "As iron sharpens iron, one man (or in my case woman) sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17.

This blog today is being written after sitting at choir practice, watching the new friends I have met, and with one special "old" friend (and her hubby) that I "got" in my divorce from my ex-husband...we actually laugh about this all the time.  I have studied about relationships...real relationships...I have read articles about when we surround ourselves with people of like minds we begin to think and act alike.  How do your friends influence you?

Do you feel like they are bleeding the life out of you, or are they laying down their life for their friends?  We have had the opportunity the past two weeks to be in need of help from our friends, some just a gentle reminder that they are there, others the fact that they asked off work to attend a funeral was unforgettable.

Tonight I want to say thank you...

Thank you for being there when I needed you, and even when I didn't
Thank you for being there through the good times and the bad
Thank you for being the one to encourage my sadness and my happiness
Thank you for catching me before I fell down
Thank you for wiping away the tears when I was crying
Thank you for cheering me up and making me laugh
Thank you for the great memories
But mostly thank you for being you!!!!!

You all know who you are, but most of all I hope this encourages you to thank your friends and remember that sometimes when they need you the most, you need them too.  I am praying for all of you...my friends, because yes, it is not often I ever admit this, but I need you too!