Five Minute Friday: Friend

Friend: that person who sticks so close that they’ve morphed into a sister.

Dare I say that friendship is one of the hardest relationships to cultivate? Your siblings—they’re ‘assigned’ or gifted to you by your parents. Classmates, co-workers, church mates. There is no democracy within these ranks. I don’t get the option of whom to select or the pleasure of punting away those who just don’t seem to mesh with me.

But a friend? That’s all choice. There’s something I saw in you that made me want to know you more. There was an investment of time, energy, food, tears, laughter, and unconditional love that was worth every moment.

May I be open for a moment? Friendship has always been a h-u-g-e struggle for me. What does a girl who used to get “dumped” on the bus by her friends (true story from my junior high years), know about friendship?

I have a pretty solid understanding of how not to do friendship. Likewise, I have a fresh perspective on what it means to be a friend.

From the long list of ‘what not to do’ emerges characteristics of a true friend and ‘what to do’. The size of my friendship community does not exempt me from being a good friend. My finite, limited mind needs to pull examples from other sources. Why not look at the pattern set by the world’s Bestest of Friends? Jesus.

This guy was amazing! He hung out with people whom society (then and now) scowled at. Jesus disregarded what they did and looked at who they were. As a friend, He fed, clothed, comforted, miracled, supplied, supported and provided for all. If that wasn’t enough—He loves from this deep place in His soul. And He never demanded a single thing in return for His friendship.

Being a friend was a gift.

Rather than set expectations, I need to allow more exceptions.

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Welcome to my new space. I’ve missed you all while I waited for the ‘new site’ dust to settle. There’s a bit more tweaking to be done, but it’s readable now. Thanks for your patience!

Click below to join Five Minute Friday community.

http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/ Barbie

Jesus is the perfect role model of friendship. Stopped over from the Five Minute Friday. Blessings!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thank you, Barbie!
Amy

I love your honesty about struggling with friendships. I have too. God was so faithful to hear mine prayer about 12 years ago and brought one precious friend into my life that then opened the door to many more.
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  I love how God knows who and when to send those precious people into our lives
Tanya M.

Yes! Great descriiption of Jesus, the perfect friend. I think we can all learn to allow more exceptions indeed. Love the new site, too, by the way. Looks great!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thanks, Tanya!
Kimshme Shivaun

Great post! I love how you talked about how friendship is choice. Choosing someone to invest time into becoming something bigger and important.
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  When we accept some responsibility and choose to make the effort, we take ownership in the relationship as well. Too many times, we want our relationships to require little to no work on our part. Thanks for reading
Janice

He is indeed the world’s bestest friend ever. And he never asked for anything in return – except for Love. And in the end, I think that’s what all people who want friends are truly seeking. Another someone who will love them just the way they are (you know, without being married and all). 😉 …smiles…
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Definitely, Janice. Love is such a key part to friendship. The challenge comes in loving even when you’re not feeling loved in return. Thanks for reading
Denise Oldham

Such a wonderful post.
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thank you kindly, Denise
http://www.amylearns.com/ Amy Tilson

Love, love, love what you have done with the place. Can I just say?? PURPLE!! Your words are just as beautiful! Excellent reminders!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  I know!!! I love purple too. Thanks for reading & loving the new space, Amy
http://www.debistangeland.com/ Debi Stangeland

Dude! I LOVE the new space. Super cool and really beautiful. Of course I love your post too. You are amazing and wonderful and do such a great job of reminding us what is important. Thank you!!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  My ‘personal’ cheerleader–you do wonders for my heart & writer’s soul Thank you, Debi XOXO
Selena Campbell

Sabrina,

I also love your post. I can definitely relate. Thanks for being honest and letting others know we aren’t alone!

Visiting from FMF,
Blessings,
Selena @ glencampbellclan.blogspot.com
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thanks for visiting, Selena Even though it’s sometimes hard to be honest, it’s worth it when a reader is positively impacted.
Karin

I love this. Connection has been very hard for me too, so I totally relate. Sometimes I feel like there is a rulebook to relationships that someone forgot to give me. Thank you for reminding me that I simply need to look to our Lord for the ultimate example of how to be a friend. Some days that seems daunting, but today that is a comfort. I love your writing!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thank you, Karin! So glad to provide some comfort to you
Paula Barnett

Looking at His pattern. Honoring it. My desire is to be the same kind of friend! Enjoyed my first visit here, Sabrina. To me, the dust has settled well; your site looks great!
- https://sabrinajr.com/ Sabrina
  
  Thanks for visiting, Paula!