A True Friend

Today we drove into Portland to meet a dear family friend and join her in worship at her church. The pastor spoke about friendship and he challenged us to consider the marks of a true friend. Many people have come and gone in my life without becoming real friends. But God has given me good friends who have touched my life and made a difference -- I am a better person because of them.

A true friend -

• makes us a better person by their example. "He who walks with the wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:20
• confronts our faults by their honesty. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
• sticks with us by their loyalty. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

Thank you dear friends, old and new. I treasure our friendship -- you are a gift from God. May I be such a gift to you.

"Time spent with a true friend is nourishment for the soul." - anonymous

(photo: wildflowers in Mt. Tabor Park, Portland, Oregon)