"You have known me in good and bad times. You have seen me when I was happy and when I was sad. You have listened to me when what I said was intelligent and when I talked nonsense. You have understood me when I knew what I was doing and when I made mistakes. Thank you for believing in me, for supporting me and for always being ready to share thoughts together. You are a perfect friend." Susan Polis Schutz
I often think of the warm sentiments this message contains. The mug on which it is written used to hold the warm coffee I would sip as I thought of the fun times my friend and I had together. This mug has long since lost its handle and become a holder for my many pens and pencils. I don't drink out of it any more nor do I use many of the items found inside. It has been a long time since I have talked to the special friend who gave this to me. I tried to call her tonight but the phone was busy. I am sure I will reach her soon. This little saying, in my opinion, does describe the perfect friend. I began to think about how many people in my life actually fall into this catagory. I believe the catagory of friend can include your spouse, your sibling, your child, your parent, your boss and more. The role may be one thing and the friendship another. It's the ingredients that count. Then my mind went to social networking. We call these people friends, but how many of them really fit the description of friend. Probably most of them to one degree or another. A friend can be someone to whom you are emotionally attached, someone who helps or supports you, even someone who simply is not your enemy. There are several Bible verses that describe friendship. In John 15:15 Jesus told his disciples that he no longer called them servants but friends because he shared everything he learned from the Father with them. Of course, that now applies to us as we walk with him as His friends. In John 15:14, He says we are His friends if we do what He commands. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that a friend loves us all the time. And in Proverbs 27:10, not to forsake your friend or your father's friend. Lastly, that "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother", Proverbs 18:24. I am thankful for all my friends and want to always be a good friend. I believe we need each degree of friendship we receive. I must say though that when we are privileged to have a friend or friends that reach the depth of the above saying and the afore mentioned Scriptures, we are truly blessed. I am truly blessed!
I often think of the warm sentiments this message contains. The mug on which it is written used to hold the warm coffee I would sip as I thought of the fun times my friend and I had together. This mug has long since lost its handle and become a holder for my many pens and pencils. I don't drink out of it any more nor do I use many of the items found inside. It has been a long time since I have talked to the special friend who gave this to me. I tried to call her tonight but the phone was busy. I am sure I will reach her soon. This little saying, in my opinion, does describe the perfect friend. I began to think about how many people in my life actually fall into this catagory. I believe the catagory of friend can include your spouse, your sibling, your child, your parent, your boss and more. The role may be one thing and the friendship another. It's the ingredients that count. Then my mind went to social networking. We call these people friends, but how many of them really fit the description of friend. Probably most of them to one degree or another. A friend can be someone to whom you are emotionally attached, someone who helps or supports you, even someone who simply is not your enemy. There are several Bible verses that describe friendship. In John 15:15 Jesus told his disciples that he no longer called them servants but friends because he shared everything he learned from the Father with them. Of course, that now applies to us as we walk with him as His friends. In John 15:14, He says we are His friends if we do what He commands. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that a friend loves us all the time. And in Proverbs 27:10, not to forsake your friend or your father's friend. Lastly, that "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother", Proverbs 18:24. I am thankful for all my friends and want to always be a good friend. I believe we need each degree of friendship we receive. I must say though that when we are privileged to have a friend or friends that reach the depth of the above saying and the afore mentioned Scriptures, we are truly blessed. I am truly blessed!
