Precious but Hard to Find
Today, on the Fourth of July (Actually, It's the third, but I am in the mood.) , I am thinking about the wonders of having a friend who is really committed to me. Those kinds of friends don’t come into a person’s life very often, but I have been blessed several times in this way.
My present friend is much more than a casual friend. I have many of those. They are the ones that I have met and enjoyed in various times in my life. They were found when I have volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Kids Against Hunger, my church groups and many other times. They come and go as I have gone through the varied stages of my life.
Neither are they the close friends, which are much fewer in life than the casual ones. These are the friends that I contact often through e-mail, regular mail, telephone, outings, parties and coffee breaks.
A committed friend is what I call an “in-your-face friend”. That person is there for me in good times and in bad. That friend will stand up to me and keep me from making mistakes that might hurt me physically, mentally and spiritually. That friend will never egg me on to take drugs, to excessive drinking or eating or do anything that would keep my life out of balance.
When my friend confronts me about anything that is not kosher in my life, the correction is offered in a package wrapped with love that makes the tweaking more easily taken. It is often accompanied with a good joke, a wise saying or even sometimes with a Biblical quote.
I may bristle at times, maybe be a little hurt and resentful, or even accuse the friend of trying to smother me. But when I have swallowed my pride, I am so grateful.
What a gift that kind of friend really is. I have found that friend several times in my life. Right now, I am enjoying that kind of friend in my husband.
At the present time, I am temporarily suffering from a painful knee ailment that curtails my ability to do some things that have always been a part of my life: the laundry, the dishes, making the beds, cleaning, shopping and a myriad of other ordinary things.
Now my husband insists on doing everything for me. He keeps the ice packs, the heating pad, and everything that I may need, right at my fingertips.
My biggest problem consists in this: I don’t like to be waited on. I like to do my share of our daily chores, but I must give in at this time in my life. I would do the same for him and he knows it.
When you have a committed friend, you know that the one ingredient, which makes that friendship different from all others, is the willingness to sacrifice. When we really love someone, we are willing to sacrifice for their best interests. It also doesn’t come and go. It is there 24/7. It is not built on a fleeting basis or on fickle feelings that change with every circumstance.
What is a friend to do if he sees you making a mistake? It is often not possible for a casual friend to say anything; he doesn’t have your trust. So if a person is without friends, who will warn him of trouble ahead? True friendship brings security to one’s life. Friendship always faces trouble, and always stands in the place of one who is hurting. To have a friend, you have to be willing to be a friend first, last and always. A committed friend never says, "It's not my turn!"
Today, I want to say thanks to my husband who stands by me even when I do things that he might think calls for me to be “committed”. ;}
Also I want to thank all our committed soldiers who have dedicated a portion of their lives to protect us from the evils that others want to inflict on us.
This Fourth of July, I am so grateful for all my blessings. God bless America.