A Friend
What is a friend? That's a question that probably could get a hundred answers from a hundred different people
based on what each felt their own expectations are. I think in that very statement is the base for a lot
of the problems we see in this world today. We put so much emphasis on our personal expectations that only
those people or things that meet those standards are allowed to be a part of our lives. What a shame that is
as folks miss out on so very much.
So just what is it the really makes a friend? Like many things, there are many levels of friends, all are
good. As the saying goes, many friends will pass through your life, but only a few will leave a footprint on
your heart. For all of your friends that pass through, you should be sure that the part of their journey
that is you is a good stop in their travels. Do all you can to be sure the time you share is excellent and
they know you were truly glad they were there and a part of your life. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks
to so many that come up to Him and calls them friend. Do you call folks friend? I am in sales where I talk
to folks on the phone, and truly feel, believe that each is a friend and call them friend when I'm talking to
them. God loves every person on this earth unconditionally. If their good enough for God, then their sure good
enough for me.
This article, however, is about those that leave a footprint on our hearts. These are the ones that take a
permanent space in your heart, that stand beside you no matter what, that you share a closeness that can not
be explained. They are the ones that share your times of joy and your times of need equally, not because they
have to, but because they are your friend. A friend walks at your side, holding you up and helping you up when
you need them, who comforts you, who works with you to understand the unknown, who smiles and laughs with you,
brings joy to your life just by being there, and so much more. There is a commitment and love that the two
of you share that is just a part of your life. So who are these friends and how do you be sure to make the
most of that precious gift that God has so richly blessed you with?
The very first, the very foremost, and the very top of the list is none other than God Himself. Wait a minute
you say. God is God and we worship Him and sing to Him and pray to Him. This is all excellent, but God
wants more from us. He wants a very close and personal relationship with Him. Have you built this
relationship yet?
Does God want you as a friend?
Jam 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
Isa 41:8 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
Exo 33:11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
Pro 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Luk 14:10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you
comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at
the table with you.
Pro 17:17 A friend loves at all times,
Pro 22:11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.
You bet He does. The Bible is a message about God's love for you. It tells of that love and how He will
stand beside us, hold us, comfort us, take us by the right hand never to let go and so much more. These are
the things that the best friend you could ever ask for has in His personal one on one love for you. He is
your friend as He tells us in so many places. You go to church on Sundays and talk of His love, His
commitment, forgiveness, your faith in Him and all that He can do for you, then a lot of you walk out the
door and leave Him in there to be attended to next week. A friend is not a once a week commitment or meeting.
A friend is someone you have in your heart and share each moment with. Why leave the very best friend
someone could have in a building when He wants to be with you each moment to help, fulfill, comfort, and be a
part of all that you do? Take God home with you. Take Him to work, to each meeting, to dinners, to all
things that you do and share your life with Him. If you don't view what you have with God as a deep personal
relationship, then your not listening to Him. Get started right now building it and nurturing it as you
would any close friendship (don't leave it all up to Him - that's not the way friendships work you know), and
you'll be truly amazed at the feelings and the love within you that this one friendship will bring. This is the
one friendship that you can count on to never falter, never quit, never not have the time, or be to busy, and
to always, no matter what, be there for each joy, each moment and each need. Don't let this one slide by
my friend.
Who else in life is your friend? What about your family. Think about your family life. Is it all about
getting through each day, work, chores, PTA, TV going to bed only to start it up again? How about you and
your spouse. You love each other, but are you what you would call very close friends. Next to God, my
very best friend is my wife, and very close behind are my children. What do you do each day to be a friend
to your family? I'm not talking about some task you put on a to do list. Do you tell your spouse "Thank
You" just for being there and the things they do for you. Do you try to find things either to do or give
that are just for them as a friend, like a friend would do. Have you ever brought a card home and left it
for them that says something like Thanks for being my friend? How about the kids. These relationships can
be hard at times just because of the normal parent kid conflicts that go on. Have you ever just sat down
alone with each of them and asked how they are, what is important to them in life, is there anything you
could do (short of the car) to help them. How about every now and then just sit and tell them you love them
and want to have more time together. Go one on one with each of them to do something they like to do, and
find ways to share in their lives. You'd be surprised at how much you will get back. I've always told each
of my kids to not go through one moment of their lives not knowing how very much I love them. All are
grown up and out of the house now and I still tell them that every chance I get. The two most important
things in life for my kids are God's love and Mom's and my love for them. I've made very sure they have known and
shared both. If your Mom and Dad are still with you, then seek out the wonderful friendship that they
have through your love for each other, and the same for you brothers and sisters and extended families.
I know there are those of you that don't have this kind of relationship with your family, but with the
friendship of God, go forward, take the first and second steps and if necessary the first thousands of steps
to build or rebuild the love and friendships that only your family can bring. Put all differences aside
(all families have them) and be the first one to say I love you and value you and your friendship. Keep
after it and keep saying it, and no matter how close you become or don't become each one of them will know
without question that you love them. Don't miss that opportunity to tell them Don't be the one at the
funeral that we always see that is crying and mourning so hard because they didn't take the time to tell
the family member or friend how much they really cared and love them. Do it now and fulfill that part of
your being that comes from sharing that close love of a family with each other.
What about those very dear folks that come into our lives and leave a huge footprint on our hearts that we
are so honored and blessed to call our dear and very close friends? Have you told your very good friends
that you love them? Have you ever told them or if you have, have you told them recently? Wait a minute you
say. I can't tell another man or another woman that I love him or her. Why not?
Why can't you go to someone that is such a big and wonderful part of your life and tell them that you so
very much appreciate the very special friendship that you have and that as a good friend you love them.
Your missing out my friend. Once again, don't be the one at the funeral home saying you never told them
how you really felt about them and wished you would have found a way. Just do it and share in that
special bond.
A very dear friend of mine just left us. He fought a huge and inspiring battle with cancer the last couple
years of his life. We shared in a lot of things during our friendship, including our faith, our families,
our interests and so much more. And yes we had no problem say I love you to each other. The last time I
talked to him, I called the hospital where they had called the family together. I spoke with his sister a
moment, then his wonderful wife. She told me she would hold the phone to his ear for him to hear me but
warned me that he wasn't able to talk back. I told him among other things how much I appreciated him and
loved him. Well folks he tried hard to talk and the one word that I clearly heard was "Love". One of the
words I heard the most from the huge crowd that came to the viewing and funeral was "Friend". One of the
messages of the service was "What will you be remembered as?" He will be remembered for so many things that
were talked about, but certainly the one thing all said was Friend. What will all of the people in your life
have to say about you. Don't go another moment without letting your closest friends and all of your friends
know how much they mean to you. Why else would God Himself our best friend bless us with these few very close
friends if we weren't meant to share all with them? Let all the others that come into your lives know that you
consider them friends and let them see the wonderful love and friendship that you share with God in all that
you do.
If you don't know God yet, all He wants is a very personal relationship with you. He wants, among all the
wonderful things that He is, to also be your very close friend. He is holding His hand out
right now reaching for yours and once He has it He will never let go. No man can come to God except through
His Son Jesus. So make your choice and reach up. God will grab your hand flood you with joy, love, a
friendship and a relationship that no one can ever take away from you.
With you family, build on that relationship over and above being just Mom or Dad or Son or Daughter, Sister,
Brother, Aunt, Uncle, etc.. Friendship can build bridges over any gaps that may be there and mend so many
differences. Let the love of friendship take whatever you have to that next level.
And with the friends that share the innermost parts of us be very sure they know how you feel, no matter how
you put it, just share with them. You'll find a new depth in your relationship that you never new existed.
Finally I say look to the relationship that God wants and has with you, the presence He has and the deep and
committed friendship the He unconditionally shares with you. Take this very same friendship and share it
with those special friends in your life and be amazed at the blessings you will receive back.
May God flood you with His guidance, His love and the joy of His presence.
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU!
Click HERE 4steps to know God!