Being a Friend

Not So Perfect.

Try as I may, most days of my life I fall short of being perfect. Actually, most minutes of my life I fall short. The truth is, I am not anywhere close to perfect. I don’t have it all together, and if I am being completely honest, I forgot to brush my teeth the other morning, but I didn’t even realize it until more than halfway through the day when I felt the fuzzy feeling on my teeth. Ugh. 

But here is another truth, I don’t have to be perfect in order to love others. I’ve come to the conclusion that loving others is the most foundational thing I can do. 

How in the world would someone believe me that Jesus loves them deeply and wants to be near them if I can’t even demonstrate love for them or show them that I want to be near them?

So How Do We Love?

Sit with them. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Feed them. Carry them. Give them time. Invite them in. Go places with them. Play games with them. Be present with them.

Even When Life is Busy

The hustle and bustle of each day though can certainly get in the way of loving others. One of my very best friends just texted me earlier to tell me that she misses me. I haven’t talked to her for over three months. Not because she hasn’t reached out, but because I have been too busy to respond or reach out myself. 

What I realized when I saw my sweet friend’s text was her meeting me with grace and truth to remind me that she is still there waiting for me to not be so busy or so distracted. She didn’t come at me crazy and yell at me and tell me what a horrible friend I had been, but instead, she gently reminded me of her love for me and our friendship. 

I think the closest we can ever truly get to being perfect (or more like Jesus anyway) is to press pause on all the things that consume us each day, and instead look outward to loving others. When we take the time to see them, there is no greater gift you can give to someone; except perhaps brushing your teeth before you get too close…. I’ll keep that in mind!

The to do list will be there after you call your friend back. Mine was anyway. And you know what? I was still able to tackle a few things after the phone call. My life didn’t implode when I took the time to be a friend to my friend. She felt loved and encouraged because I gave her my attention. I felt calmer and more at peace because I took the time to talk to my friend.

Aunt Roberta’s Wisdom

Someone shared this poem with me recently. Her Aunt Roberta wrote it for her back in 1996. With her permission, I am sharing it with you. This poem sums it up so eloquently. 

Be a blessing, said my mother, 

Be the best that you can be.

Look around you. Make a difference,

Like the man from Galilee.

All around us, folks are hurting;

Thinking no one cares at all.

Tell them God is with them always,

Lift them up before they fall. 

We are here for God’s good purpose.

Only once may come our chance.

Do it now while you have courage;

You can change their circumstance.

Loving hands and hearts are needed. 

The world can be a lonely place.

Be the one who makes life better.

Show them Jesus’ loving grace. 

Written by: Aunt Roberta 6/22/1996

Aunt Roberta’s advice came at the most appropriate time. I needed to be reminded to be a friend before anything else. I needed to remember how powerful my love for others can be for them, me, and even God. 

My Hope

I hope to dig into being a friend, even for those I don’t know well. It is the one truest way I can show love in the same way Jesus did. I guess I just needed my friend and Aunt Roberta to remind me. 

Perhaps you will join me in pressing pause when necessary. Look to others, lift them up. Love them well. But remember, we don’t have to be perfect, but trying to be even a little better at it will go a long way!

Thanks for reading friends! Please share!