Friendly

A man [or woman] who has friends must himself be friendly,But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

I believe that two of the great skills that we can learn in this life are first to treasure our friends, but more than that, to learn to be a friend who is a treasure to others.

A few days ago I had a no-good, terrible, full-of-frustration day. Probably the bottom line was that I was grumpy. I was tired. I was trying to multitask, and nothing was going smoothly. Anyway, I was grumpy. Then my friend tried to help, and I was grumpy to her. What was her response? She showed up later with a silly card of a little girl crying because her ice cream had spilled on her lap. It made me laugh—laugh at myself—and she laughed with me. Good job, Barbie!

Emily Dickinson, when pondering prosperity and fame said, “My friends are my estate.” I have to agree. True friends love you through thick and thin.

Samuel Coleridge said, “Friendship is a sheltering tree.”

It’s been said, “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today as you are. A friend is someone with whom you dare to be yourself.” I will add, a true, godly friend is someone who sees your weaknesses and does not talk about them behind your back. She prays for you, forgives you, and stirs you up to grow.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “A [woman] who has friends must [herself] be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (NKJV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Are you feeling lonely today? Do you wonder why you just don’t seem to connect and make lasting friendships? Let me ask you a question: Are you harboring resentment because someone let you down in the past? Do you often rethink past wounds? Maybe you’ve put a guard up, fearing you’ll be hurt again. Don’t be so afraid of pain—it’s part of life. Will you ask the Lord to soften and change you?

Let’s Pray

O Lord, this wall around my heart is shutting me off from giving and receiving true friendship, I see that. Please help me to forgive and to open my heart again.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 9:1–10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24