That’s what friends are for

Friendship is widely spoken about, but very rarely have I heard such an important phrase as the one said by BARRY RICHARDS, one of the best South African cricket players: "I would have preferred to make fewer runs and more friends."

Yes, friendship is widely spoken about, but frequently in the wrong way. When someone says they have a  friend, they usually refer to "someone who agrees with me in everything". Friends are people you are interested in for what they give you. However, God speaks of a type of friendship that is very different, because friendships that seek their own interest break very easily.

A friend is one who encourages you in your goals; a friend is one who is happy about your successes as much as, or even more than, yourself. A friend is one who understands you, and does not try to change the way you are. They simply enjoy being with you. A friend is one who remains when all others leave. A friend is one who remains seated when you do not feel like listening to any reproof because things have gone wrong. A friend is one who comforts you, who knows exactly when to speak and when to be quiet.

A friend is one who rejoices when things go well - the friend who is jealous of the other's triumphs is disloyal! A friend is one who does not wish to dominate, but to serve.

A friend is one who knows who you are, and loves you anyway. True friendship never lets you down, it does not get discouraged when it finds out that the other is such-and-such a thing (a lesser profession, a different social status, a different race, etc.) A friend never asks, always gives. A friend has enough confidence in you to tell you about all their own needs. A friend is one to whom you go when nobody else listens.

The best example of friendship that has existed in history, is that of the Lord Jesus. He is the best friend we will ever have. A friend who loves unconditionally, who seeks the best for us, who knows us better than anybody, and still does not abandon us! A friend who died for us. Nobody has given more proof of friendship than he. He is such an example of real friendship that when we speak of him, tears of joy spring from our eyes.