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The Gift of Friendship
How important is this gift to you? Friendship is tremendously important and it is rather unfortunate that many of us have very few close friends. Friends we can count on always and in all circumstances. Jesus said, " This is my commandment, Love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this than to lay down one’s life for a friend. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer speak to you as slaves, for a slave does not know what his master is about. Instead I call you my friends since I have made known to you all that I heard from my Father." John 15 vs.12-15.
When we are a close and true friend to someone, we are continually calling that someone to new life by calling them by name, by being present to them in time of need, by listening and by understanding.
A true friend never considers the relationship with, what’s in it for me attitude, rather they are always looking for ways to serve and to be present to the other without considering the cost. Even in times of absence, their friend is always in their thoughts and prayers, always petitioning God for the help their friend may need that they cannot supply. Even when their friendship is rejected or overlooked by the other, they are able to understand because their friendship is not conditional on the other’s behavior. Rather they accept that person just as they are and in that acceptance they call them to be the perfect person they want them to be. Always they are quick to offer peace and to celebrate the giftedness of their friend. One of the greatest gifts a true friend can offer is to listen without being judgmental and to be present to their friend regardless of their circumstances.
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