The best way to have a friend is to be one. I'm not sure how good I am to others, but I definitely know I have been blessed with lots of GREAT friends. Not just good ones - great. What makes a great friend?
I just spent a weekend with six girlfriends. We do this periodically, and I always come away from our gatherings feeling affirmed, blessed, and refreshed. We may not see each other often, but we have no trouble at all picking up where we left off and enjoying one another's company tremendously. We all stay in touch via letters. Bottom line? We are THERE for one another. We are all equally committed to each others' success in navigating this often turbulent journey we call life.
If you have friends, cherish them. Don't take them for granted! Let them know how much you value them and treasure your relationship. Friends do sometimes disappoint; love them anyway. Faithfulness and loyalty are gifts I value highly. To keep the friendship fires burning, bestow forgiveness often and liberally. It's hard to do that sometimes. But if you extend grace and kindness to your friends, I think you'll be surrounded by them for a lifetime.
