I've been blessed with great friends along my journey.
Several weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a friend asking me if there were any books on my reading list that I'd like to read but don't have. I mentioned three books that I've had my eyes on. This morning I had a delivery, and in the box, four books. The three that I mentioned plus one more. More important than this special act of kindness (now I have some vacation reading), is the fact that this friend always probes deep. And usually wraps up the conversation with, "How can I pray for you." Thank you friend!
Then there's a more recent friend. We met at Halloween, hibernated for the winter and then reconnected about a month ago, since then we've talked almost every day (even if just in passing). There's just been a really neat bond there, and at the danger of using feminine language you could say that we're real kindred spirits.
He loves to work in the yard, lawns and flower beds are his thing. Therapeutic he says. As for me, flowers and weeds are in the same family and grass, well if I don't water it it'll eventually not grow anymore. Not only that, I have a pretty sizeable piece of property, so when it comes to mowing the lawn, it's not really fun or even therapeutic. Anyway, yesterday, as I was busy working away, this new friend of mine knocked on my door. As I opened the door I noticed that he'd brought his lawn mower over. He then asked me if he could mow my lawn. He didn't only do that but trim the whole place, something I never do, although I have a trimmer packed away somewhere.
Don't get me wrong, what makes these men good friends isn't that they've done something special for me. They were good friends before that. But it's in our relationships that just keep growing, things like this are just fun aspects of those relationships. More and more I appreciate them for the men that they are and the ways that God uses them to grow me into the man he wants me to be.
Thanks for making my week guys! But more than that, thanks for being you!
Posted by edFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Friendship is a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them.
Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating on a consistent basis:
the tendency to desire what is best for each other.
sympathy and empathy.
honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth.
mutual understanding.
It is often considered that a true friend is capable of deep feelings, which may be unexpressible, except in times of great trouble, when they come to one's aid.
In a comparison of personal relationships, friendship is considered to be closer than acquaintanceship, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and acquaintances. For many people, friendship and acquaintanceship lie along the same continuum."
From Nick's Head
"Ah shucks! Ed's cool!"
nick
Posted by: NickShhh...don't tell anyone!
Seriously though...thanks for your friendship. Of course, I'm glad this is more than an online friendship.
Posted by: edCool :)
Posted by: wilsonian