TODAY IS…

a good day to appreciate friendship.

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

The bond between friends is sometimes stronger than the bond between family members, yet we often have difficulty expressing our feelings toward these stalwart individuals who seem to always be standing there, ready to pick us up when we fall.

Just think for a moment about those who will sit with us when we are heartbroken over the loss of a loved one; who will bring us food and make sure we eat it when we are confronted by tragedy; who will take time from their busy lives and their own familial obligations to help us through a particularly rough time in our lives – who are these people and whatever did we do to deserve their kindness, love, and loyalty?

They are our friends, and sometimes it is a lot less complicated than we tend to make it.

Friends are people who know that there is extra space in their hearts for deep feelings for special people; friends are people who know that they can always make room among their burdens to help you carry yours; friends are people who are aware that even with their busy schedules there is always time to listen to our cries for help.

Good friends do not judge us. They may get in our faces and tell us when we are about to make a mistake, but they will pick us up and dust us off when we go ahead anyway and then fall flat on our face.

Friendship is a demanding position that often does not pay well. Being a good friend is sometimes thankless but can also be among life’s most pleasant experiences.

Today is a good day to let our friends know how much we appreciate them.

Take time to say “thank you” to those who help carry your load when it is too heavy to carry alone.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson