I teach 1st through 5th grade once a month at my church. Last Sunday the lesson was about “Friendship.” It was based on 1 Samuel 20, When Jonathan and David, out of the love they had for one another, made a covenant with each other. The lesson focus was: “The best friend is an unselfish friend.” The memory verse was: “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
Included with the lesson is a “Teacher’s Devotional “which is the part I would like to share with you today:
“What makes a great friendship? Jot down some of your ideas.
Is unselfishness on your list? Did sacrifice, time, or effort make it on your list?
Most people place a high value on friendship. And yet we can easily get caught up in our need to earn money, juggle our schedules, build our collection, and take on responsibilities.
Friendship requires sacrifice. Friendship needs devotion. Friendship is nurtured when we unselfishly share our time with others. Read John 15:9-13. Jesus reminds us to remain in His love by loving one another as He loved us. After all, there is no greater love than laying down your life for a friend!
That was the unselfish commitment that Jesus gave to us. How will you reach out in friendship to others?”
This devotion really made me reflect on the relationships I have with not only my friends but also with my family. It made me question if I have the quality of being unselfish? Do I sacrifice, and give of my time like I should? Do I make an effort, and am I generous with my life to those I love? I sat for awhile thinking of many attributes that make for a great friendship, and questioned which ones I display.
My husband and I take the relationships in our lives seriously, and try not to take them for granted. However, we’ve learned over the years that two of the main ingredients for a long lasting meaningful relationship are honesty and trust. In every relationship honesty is something that can be activated instantly, but trust is something we build over time.
In my last blog “A Kind Heart” I told about a cat named “Newton,” our daughter’s porch cat, which my husband and I took home with us after he became ill. He seemed to be getting better but had a relapse a week later. We provided more medicine for him from the veterinarian, and again, he seemed to be getting better. Throughout the time we shared with him, we could see the need and want he had to be loved. We patiently and cautiously reached out to him on terms that made him feel comfortable, and my husband and I were able to build his trust in us, enough to hold and show him loving affection.
I am thankful for not only having a best friend in my husband, but I am also blessed to have a best girlfriend for the past 25 years. She is never too busy for me, she always puts up with me, and I trust her with my life and every secret.
If you have not found a best friend yet, ask the Lord to send one. In the meantime, examine the relationships you do have and strive to be someone who is unselfish, loving, honest, trustworthy, empathetic, sacrificial, and who is generous with money and time.
See you in heaven, my friend.
