By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
A true friend cares for us with love, honesty, and sincerity while knowing our flaws and weaknesses. The qualities of a good friend are a treasure because reciprocating the relationship comes with a price.
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
To be a good friend means we practice our heart’s longing. What we desire for ourselves is what we strive to perfect for them. Our definition of friendship is an accumulation of what we’ve experienced from our life experiences. Some of the actions we’ve seen are like a soothing balm. Some people take advantage and manipulate others for selfish means. We recognize the inappropriate and insincere behavior and instead, we choose integrity.
My inspiration for friendship comes from Jesus in John 15:13-15 ESV. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
A good friend—
- Believes life isn’t about them.
- Encourages us to reach for our dreams.
- Laughs and cries with us.
- Listens even if we are whining.
- Models Jesus.
- Practices unconditional love.
- Serves without thought of return.
- Shows us they are dependable.
- Shows us the meaning of trustworthiness.
- Treasures spending time with us.
- Understands a good friend challenges us to be better people.
- Values strong life principles.
“Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.” Elie Wiesel
Can you share a characteristic of a good friend?
