“There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.”
– Katharine Hathaway
(1890-1942)
Author/Educator
Pastor,
radio host and educator, Charles Swindoll said, "I cannot even imagine
where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given
me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." I have to agree with this wholeheartedly. Without the love and support of good friends
I don't know where I would be. It has
also be my desire to be such a friend to others and I have been blessed with
some great examples.
Friendship is more than just the
fact you know each other. We see people
every day, at work, school, church or where ever, and we greet each other and
are pleasant, but that does not really make us friends. Friends are those who are involved in our
lives and we in theirs. A friend is the
person you talk with, laugh with, cry with, and believes in. Nineteenth century English Clergyman, Robert
Hall, described a friend this way, "A friend should be one in whose
understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value
at once for its justness and its sincerity." Let's look at four ways you can be this kind
of a friend.
1) Friends believe in each other
It is one thing to agree with the dreams and ambitions of your friends
and another to believe in those dreams and ambitions. As a friend, believe in the dreams of those
you care about. Some may be a bit far
out there and you may not fully understand, but they are not your dreams to
understand. Know that your friend has
this dream and your place, as their friend, is not to critique or remodel it,
but to support and believe in them.
2) Friends share their dreams
Just as you are willing to hear
and believe in your friends dream, allow them to be a part of yours. If the relationship is all one sided, then it
is not a healthy relationship in the first place. One of the marks of a real friend is that you
will make each other better people and achievers. As businessman, Henry Ford said, "My
best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
3) Friends accept nothing less
than excellence
A true friend is one who knows
that you have the potential to be excellent in all you do, and will accept
nothing less. I have heard many times
that a true friend accepts you just the way you are. That is not at all true. The waiter in the restaurant or the bank
teller accepts you "just as you are".
They don't care what you do or how you live. A true friend cares about you and will do all
they can to keep you from doing things that will injure your character or
reputation. Friend will always work to
help you become the very best you can be and not ignore your flaws but help you
to overcome them.
4) Friends are encouragers
"When you encourage others,
you in the process are encouraged because you're making a commitment and
difference in that person's life." Zig Ziglar said, "Encouragement
really does make a difference." There
is not greater gift we can give to our friends, family or to ourselves than
that of encouragement. Sometimes it is
as simple as a warm smile and a soft pat on the back, other times it means
sitting quietly with a hurting friend just so they know you are there. If you have one gift to give to your friends,
let it be encouragement.
You
matter! You matter to the world and to
yourself. Remember to be your best, love
God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.
John Patrick
Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from
John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your
church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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