Friend

I often use that word.

I hear other people use that word a lot too.

Have you ever thought about what it really means?

Wikipedia says that friends often demonstrate the following:

- The tendency to desire what is best for the other

- Sympathy and empathy

- Honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart

- Mutual understanding and compassion; ability to go to each other for emotional support

- Enjoyment of each other's company

- Trust in one another

- Positive reciprocity — a relationship is based on equal give-and-take between the two parties.

- The ability to be oneself, express one's feelings and make mistakes without fear of judgement.

God has been speaking a lot of truth into my life recently about that word we use so often. How, if I use it to describe my relationship to/with a person I need to really mean it. I need to mean that I am willing to give, sacrifice for, love, care for, and lift them up.

After all, God calls me His friend.