on being a friend {day 18}

At the end of today's Proverb is the verse [24]: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

One part of what this blog is about my learning to be the right kind of friend - even to YOU, whom I may never know on this earth.

I strive to show myself friendly. I do not come by this naturally. I am not a "people-person." I do not enjoy crowds. But I do try to be pleasant when spoken to and not completely ignore the people around me. This takes a conscious effort.

I also make an effort to show how Jesus is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother in my own life.  

And because He loves me unconditionally, I can love others - even those I have never met.

But what happens if I utterly ignore the fact that not every person I speak to {even through this blog} is a Christian or is possibly only a babe in Christ? 

And what if I disregard the possibility not everyone who attends my church regularly is a born-again believer and that not everyone grows the same. Even some people in full-time ministry positions come out as older adults and admit to not really knowing they are saved.

Earlier in the chapter is a verse that often saddens me [19]: A brother [friend or relation] offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Well, a brother [friend] can be offended... by what I've said, implied, worn, done, etc. 
 
And the fact that he is harder to be won than a strong city seems to imply that I should try to win a friend back. If the friendship was broken over something offensive I did or said, etc., I should care when a friendship is broken or hindered.

Which leads me to also think that possibly, I should at least strive to not be offensive in the first place. Of course, truth divides. There is no denying that. 

But it should be the TRUTH that is dividing. Because getting a friend back is harder than storming a castle!

I often ask God to put a filter on my words so that I may not come across as offensive to those who may be weaker than I am.

I also ask for Him to help my heart accept rebuke when it is shown to me that I may have been offensive--to whomever. 

And while I do not wish to ostracize the world from hearing what I have to say, I realize that some will not appreciate the words I speak or type. 

But my prayer is that the truth pushes them away, not the manner in which I speak it.

So, today, I pray that you find a friend when you come here. 

I pray that none of what I speak is offensive to those looking for encouragement in living Godly lives. 

And I pray that those who know me, you know-in real life, could say that my life’s attitude matched the kindness I strive to show forth here.