Thursday, October 10, 2013

October 10 - Friend

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Friend is found in 59 scripture passages in the Bible. Friendship is the companionship and close relationship we have with one another. It is the commitment to help form the character in others. This is a relationship to be embraced—even when it hurts. Having friends and being a friend was important to Jesus. Think of His statement He made to His disciples…Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. That is the greatest gift from any friend…life. What a friend we have in Jesus. 
 
Think about your favorite friend in all your life…there are probably several. What makes that friend special? Is it that they were always there for you…that after years apart, you still connect and it is as if you’d never been apart…that there was give and take in your relationship—you were there for your friend, too, and you appreciate each other…and there is a great camaraderie? That is my friend, Mary, who’ve I known since junior high. She’s like family—only better. We did stupid stuff together…and good things helping each other or other people, too. She’s great…and since we both know Jesus as our Savior. We know we’ll see each other one day in Heaven, too, sharing our friendship in eternity with Jesus. What could be better?

Training Tip – With your children make a list of qualities that they value in a friend. Here are some that my grandchildren came up with: fun, friendly, honest, creative, available to play, likes the same things, wants to be a true friend, and knows Jesus. Ask them how they can be a good friend to their friends. Encourage them to be a good friend to their siblings, as well as to their friends. Friends come and go…but you always have your siblings—your whole life long.          

Lord Jesus, watch over my children and grandchildren and help them make good decisions. Help them to choose friends who love You, too.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Mary!
May God continue to bless you and give you
the desires of your heart as you seek and serve Him.
Love you much.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

No comments: