Love your Friends as Yourself

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Someone once said, to have a friend it means you have to be a friend. When you are young, church, school, sports, music lessons throw you into constant environments where you are meeting people. You are learning the do's and don't in social environments. As we grow older it is difficult to make and maintain quality friendships.

As you grow older you realize there are different levels of friendship. Friends can be met in all kinds of different environments such as scouting, sports, church, homeschooling co-ops, volunteer work. We have our own individual friends as well as couple friends, friends through our kids and childhood friends. Some friends move away and we only keep in contact every so often or some friends we only send Christmas cards to once a year. I often tell my kids if you have friends that you can count on one hand who are friends through thick and thin, they could be near or far away, you are truly blessed. Some friends are like a sibling, friends for a lifetime.

I found this poem in Friends of the Heart by Emilie Barnes and Donna Otto.

The ABC's of Friendship

Accepts you as you are
Believes in you
Calls just to say hi
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions you to be your best
Forgives mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps when needed
Invites you over
Just hangs out with you
Keeps a confidence
Loves them no matter what
Makes a difference in each other's life
Never judges
Offers support
Picks the other up
Quiets their fears
Raises their spirits
Speaks kindness
Tells the truth
Understands
Walks beside you
Xplains their feelings
Yells when you won't listen
Zaps you into reality

What kind of friend are you? How do you spend your time when you are with a friend? Are you positive or do you spend your time complaining? Do you practice giving as well as receiving, listening as well as talking? Do you offer support to those around you? Do you encourage others to make a difference? Are you happy for your friend to have other friends as well?

Do you seek out friends who are positive people? Do you like when you have been in the presence of a positive friend? Do you challenge others to challenge you to grow; physically, spiritually, emotionally? Do you speak to others with truth and kindness? What kind of friends do you want to surround yourself with?