Friends are Friends Forever

Okay, let me start out by saying I was never a big fan of Michael W. Smith but I remember his song enough that it is now the title of this posting. It's very easy sometimes to take for granted how blessed I am to have some really great relationships existant in my life. I am reminded of that today because a friend cared enough to invite me to dinner and then ask about an area of my life that has been a real struggle lately. Not to condemn me or try to tell me how to live mind you, but because he was genuinely interested in my good enough to not turn a blind eye to the situation but instead to ask questions that I am sure were a little uncomfortable for him to ask. That might seem small, but I think it is increasingly rare that people are able to step outside themselves long enough to even notice when others are in need of a hand or maybe just a shoulder. The funny thing is that by taking a chance and asking those questions he allowed me not only to be real with him but with myself in a way that I had not been in regards to this situation. My friend reminded me tonight that real, healthy relationships don't avoid problems but tackle them together and overcome them through multiplied strength and endurance. So, what kind of friend have you been and what kind do you surround yourself with? We all have times where we need to be asked tough questions and then supported through the resolution. We also need to be the one who is able to step outside ourself and help others through their times of struggle. With all of that in mind, guard and value your genuine friendships because they are of the highest price and understand that friends are friends forever only when they put in the effort because they see it as worth it.