Real love — Real Friend

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“You’re like a hard, old crusty sponge.”

Did I hear that right? Did my longtime friend just call me a hard, old crusty sponge?

“You know, like you’re so hard from life’s circumstances that it seems like nothing is breaking through.”

I didn’t want to admit it but she had me pegged.

As I shared how I was trying to find my way through a difficult time of transition she was not only listening, but giving me hope. Well, in her creative way. 

She didn’t just pacify me and tell me everything was going to be okay or tell me to just get over myself. No, she went to the place I was and spoke truth into my life, all the while letting me know she understood.

That’s what friends do. They . . .      

            Listen

            Encourage

            Offer words of wisdom

            Pray for you

Jesus is the perfect example of a friend. Reading through the Gospels I’m reminded of how often He did the same for His disciples. He . . .

            Listened

            Encouraged

            Offered words of wisdom

            Prayed for them

When it comes to friendships, it’s been said “To have a good friend—be a good friend.” 

I’ll go a step further. To have a good friend—be like Jesus.

He’s our example when it comes to relationships. He comes and sits with us in our difficult place and speaks truth into our lives. We only need to take the time to be a friend to Him and invite Him into our situations.

I’m thankful for my dear friend who wasn’t afraid to meet me in my place of need and be honest with me. What love . . . yes, the love of Jesus. For, “A friend loves at all times,” (Prov. 17:17 ESV).


Be Jesus to someone, be their friend and don’t be afraid to speak truth into their life! You may be the one who brings hope and healing that they so desperately need, but can’t find on their own.


Beth Fortune

Beth has a passion for God's Word. Through her writing and speaking she allows the heartbeat of the Father to flow through her words. As an award-winning writer she’s a contributing writer with Christian Devotions and has had stories published in two "Chicken Soup For the Soul Book" Series in addition to other anthologies. Some of her articles have been published in Focus on Family’s "Thriving Family" magazine and Dr. Charles Stanley’s "In Touch" magazine. With a degree in Ornamental Horticulture she loves gardening and enjoys giving gardening talks to churches, schools, and community groups but her real enjoyment comes from sharing God's truths and encouraging others. She and her husband live in Mauldin, SC where they are in a season of caregiving for her father-in-law in the home. A diffiult season, but one in which God continues to show His grace. You can visit her at www.bethfortune.net.

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2 comments

  1. Dear Friend,
    When we have all given of ourselves so much that we too have become dried out old sponges; we just need to remember to take a pause and be refreshed under the spigot of scripture. A used sponge is a true servant to be treasured. Serve on!

  2. What a beautiful and honest post, Beth. Thanks for sharing! It seems God must really want us to focus on friendships because you wrote a great post about friends today and I wrote about friends yesterday. I, too, am thankful for my friends who will tell me what I need to hear even if it hurts. They help me be a more faithful servant of Christ! Thanks!

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