Friendship

   I found this article in my files while looking for information about another topic .  There is no indication of  who wrote it or a title for it.  Since it deals with friendship, I thought I would use this title and share it with you.

   Other people have a tremendous impact on our lives regardless of our age or occupation.  Who we develop friendships with can bring enjoyment, delight, and pleasure to our lives.  Our friends can challenge, motivate, encourage, disillusion, or even distress us.  Through friendship we learn how to get along with other people, how to give and take, and how to relate on a more intimate level.  Because we all want to be affirmed and esteemed, we need to know the difference between counterfeit and genuine friendships. 

   In a time when casual friendships happen easily, remember quality friendship takes time to make and effort to keep.  A good friendship is one in which you are able to be yourself without fear of judgment, condemnation, or criticism.  A genuine friend will stand with you no matter what the circumstances and accept you without judgment, condemnation, or criticism.

   On the  other hand, an untrue friend will use you to meet his needs, desert you in hard times, and betray you to save himself.  Be careful who you give the honor of being your friend.  The Bible say that bad company corrupts good morals.  (1 Corinthians 15:33)

   To be chosen as a friend is an honor and privilege.  Through the course of life there will be many acquaintances, but those who are called friend will be less.  Choose carefully.  George Washington put it this way, "Associate with men of fine quality, if you esteem your own reputation.; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

   What character qualities do you desire for your child's friends?

   Can you list qualities that you desire and look for in a friend?  Are you teaching your children virtues that will help them be good friends and make wise friendships?  Some fundamental characteristics to friendship are loyalty, forgiveness, honesty, acceptance, unselfishness, and trustworthiness.

   An important aspect to friendship is the willingness to accept someone for who he is.  For true friendship to thrive there must be a mutual honesty and openness.  However, this comes with risk.  When we share our inner thoughts and ideas, we make ourselves vulnerable.  If we reveal things about ourselves, someone may hurt our feelings.  Only when we allow someone to see us without our self created masks can we experience the blessings of genuine friendship.

   At some point we will hurt someone we love.  It may be indirectly through something we do or say.  Or we may tell someone what we think, thus causing her grief and agony.  When someone you love cause pain and conflict how do you respond?  Do you lash out in anger, or do you remember that she loves you and desires only the best for you?  Part of having a lasting friendship is your willingness to extend and accept forgiveness.  Christ extends His forgiveness, how can we do any less?

   Friendship is a result of mutual interests and common desires.  Friendship is more than mere acquaintance and requires more than devotion.  Friendship truly enhances our lives. 

   As we find pleasure in new friends and comfort in old ones, we realize our friendships are worth every effort.  Samuel Johnson shares a principle applicable at any age:  "True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice."