Search the Community

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs chapter 17, verse 17. Your true friend will never judge you, will never mock you (maybe playfully,) and will never put you down. The definition of adversity is misfortune, and he will stay with you regardless of a situation. If your mate cheats on and leaves you, if you lose your job and even your home, if you move around with the military (I hope he's not gonna move too, but he'll try to keep in contact,) &c, he'll stick with you and make it known that he's all for you, albeit not necessarily what you stand for. He cares, and he cares for you by showing it. He will not always defend you, for sometimes you are in the wrong. Instead, he'll take the side of right and, even though it totally pisses you off, he'll point out right from wrong, condemning your actions or intent, but not condemning you. He won't use you, abuse you, take from you and not give back. He will respect you. "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs chapter 18, verse 24. What's so bad about having a goodly number of friends? Well, can you really give them all the time some of them need? The ones who you'll grow a deep connection with need the most time. Those will last. *Has a lizard walking down my chest right now* You can try to give each the time he needs, but you may experience burn-out from trying to do too much for too many in too little time. And if you don't take care of those friendships, they'll die and suck the life out of you as well. Really, do you like losing friends? Don't you try (well, why am I asking that when I question if people even try much anymore) to salvage friendships and relationships instead of letting them sink? *Has lizard on paw now.* Doesn't it seem like a lot of work? And where is the room for growth if you keep too many to give any real amount of one-on-one time to? You grow more one-on-one rather than in groups. You begin to truly see who is your friend. As for the brother part, any brother worth half of his salt will keep you in line, rebuke you, educate you. That is your true friend-- not the one who condemns you or never lets you know you've done wrong, but the one who gently tells you wrong from right in your actions and intents, the one who will not judge you by comparison but will be almost like a parent. He's someone to look up to, respect, learn from, and lean on. He's trustworthy. He's your friend. Are your friends like this, or are you in want as such as this? Love is patient, love is kind, love does not boast, nor does it take revenge. Do your friends love?