"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17
Dr.
John Maxwell writes: "If you want deep lasting friendship, you cannot
always be the strong one. And that can be frightening; especially if you
have had someone hurt or manipulate you. But you must let a friend see
you in your weakness. Some of us have never done this, and we wonder why
we are lonely. We are going to have to get vulnerable to have a true
friend.
"Friends
serve each other. When was the last time you performed an act of
servant-hood for a friend to whom you are devoted? If you cannot
remember, you are probably living with a core of loneliness. A friend is
someone you commit to not because of what they can do for you, but just because
they are your friend. And friends listen, even though they are busy.
Listening is an act of love. It says, "I am going to put my
own agenda on hold and devote myself to knowing and caring for you."
Friends
are not generally looking for someone who can talk very impressively or
cleverly or with great wit. Mostly what they are looking for is a
world-class listener. Furthermore, when something goes right, friends
celebrate. Do you do that? When was the last time one of your
friends had God bless them - and you threw a party?
"If
you are not in this kind of friendship right now, you cannot make it happen,
but you can open yourself up to it. You can start pursuing it. You can ask God
to guide you. You can take little relational risks. And if you already
have friends like this, prize them,
protect them, enrich them in every way, and take that friendship as deep as you
can."
Written by Linda Diokpa
Follow on twitter @diokpalinda
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