by Don Emmitte |
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It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for
wisdom. A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of
need. It is poor judgment to co-sign a friend's note, to become
responsible for a neighbor's debts. (Proverbs 17:16-18 NLV). Helen Steiner Rice wrote:
"Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold, but
its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold - for gold is cold
and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear, and in the time of trouble it
is powerless to cheer. It has no ears to listen, no heart to understand,
it cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand. So, when you ask
God for a GIFT, be thankful if He sends not diamonds, pearls, or riches,
but the love of real true friends." Seems
like there has been an abundance of poems and anecdotes that focus on
friendship. I began thinking
about the priceless quality of friendship. C. Raymond Bryan has written
the following definition of friendship: Friends
are people with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with
them. They ask you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. They do not
want you to be better or worse. When you are with them, you feel as a
prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on
your guard. You can say what you think, as long as it is genuinely you.
Friends understand those contradictions in your nature that lead others to
misjudge you. With them you breathe freely. You can avow your little
vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meannesses and
absurdities, and in opening them up to friends, they are lost, dissolved
on the white ocean of their loyalty. They understand. You do not have to
be careful. You can abuse them, neglect them, tolerate them. Best of all,
you can keep still with them. It makes no matter. They like you. They are
like fire that purges to the bone. They understand. You can weep with
them, sing with them, laugh with them, and pray with them. Through it
all—and underneath—they see, know, and love you. A friend? What is a
friend? Just one, I repeat, with whom you dare to be yourself. 1 On
one occasion, Peppermint Patty said to Marcie: “I’d like to read this
book, Marcie, but I’m kind of afraid. I had a grandfather who didn’t
think much of reading.” She continued by saying, “He always said that
if you read too many books, your head would fall off.” Marcie responds,
“you start the first chapter, and I’ll hold onto your head!” Today, why don’t you find the
friend you value and tell them! Unless you are willing to GIVE friendship,
you cannot fully RECEIVE friendship! In like manner, we can only truly
know love at its FULLEST, by knowing God, and inviting His Son, Jesus
Christ, in to our heart and life. It is a priceless gift! 1.
C.
Raymond Beran, in Bits and Pieces, September 19, 1991, pp. 3-4 |
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