Proverb 17:17

Proverb 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times”.

^^^^One of my amazing, self-less friends^^^^

This is something I’m really working on.  Being a good friend is really important to me (and by friend I mean friends and family – because you can be a friend to family members too), but sometimes I struggle with being a selfish friend.  Not in a horribly bad way, I know that I am generally a good friend.  However, it can be hard to be a good friend when you are so busy with your own thing or you have other plans or other stuff going on.  That is when it really counts though.  It’s easy to be a good friend when it’s easy – it’s when it’s hard that really matters.

I have a lot of great friends – sometimes I feel like I have better friends than I deserve.  I have friends that would do anything for me – and that means so much to me.  And, in theory, I would do anything for them.  At least, as I sit here now, I feel like I would do anything for them.  The thing is, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty – how many people would really do anything (and I’m not talking about ridiculous things like loan a million dollars or donate a heart or something, just normal everyday favors)?  I think as human beings we make so many excuses for things.  I can’t because of a, b, and c.  I have to work, I don’t have time, I have kids, I have class, etc.  But really, we should be there for our friends and family.  In good times and in bad.  And we should want to be there.  Yes, it takes energy and work to be a good friend, a good family member, and a good spouse - it’s not easy.  But it is totally worth it. 

This is something I have been working on – because it was easy for me to make excuses before and even easier to make more excuses now that I am one of those people with a husband and kid.  It’s harder for me to pick people up from the airport at odd times, to bring food to someone who’s busy or sick, to help people move, to grab a coffee with a friend I haven’t seen for a while, etc.  However, I don’t want to make excuses.  I want to be there when it matters most.   Because it feels good when people are there for me – when I can count on friends or family to drive me to the airport or help me move or fix something at my condo, or bring me donuts or cupcakes every time they come visit.  And to be honest – it makes me sad when I can’t find a ride the airport or I need someone to help out with Dolce and no one seems available.

I’m not sure what the point of this post is, but it’s something that has been marinating in my head for a while.  The feeling that I need to step up my friendship game and make sure that I am still there for people.  I don’t want to become one of those people that gets so involved in the business of their own lives that they forget that others still need a helping hand every once in a while.  And yes – being a friend can be inconvenient at times.  People need help when they need help, they don’t always abide by your schedule, but a true friend is there for you no matter what. 

So, I am going to try harder.  I’m going to call people and write them letters and check up on them.  And when they need favors I’m going to say yes without hesitation.  It’s going to be a goal of 2013.  And since I just ordered a new planner so that I can write more things down – maybe I won’t forget this goal!