What Kind of Friend Will You Choose to Be?

During my many days (months) of illness, I have discovered something important.  There are two kinds of friends: true friends and friends of convenience.  We each get to decide what kind of friend we are, and when you go through something where you need to depend on friends, you will see which kind of friends you have.

Friends of convenience say to let them know if you need anything - and they may or may not mean it - but if it interrupts their life, they will not be there.  These are the friends who may check on you every once in a while through Facebook or text, but although they live near you, they never stop by.  If you need something, they will not be there because it would be an inconvenience to them or their family.  These friends will be friendly to you, but not true to you.

A true friend is there for you through thick and thin.  She will set aside her homeschool schedule to welcome your children, knowing this is just one day.  She says she can always incorporate one or two more children into her lessons and catch up on other lessons later.  When you are sick, a true friend will come by your house and offer to fold laundry or vacuum the floor - or if your illness is not contagious, just sit and visit with you.  She will offer to take your children for the day just so you can get some rest - even if that means driving 30 minutes each way.  A true friend will set aside her family's celebration to bring you crutches on Christmas Day.  She will ask you if you are sure about a decision, rather than assume you are wrong.  If you are having a rough day, she will bring you chocolate and forget her own diet for the day.  A true friend will hold you accountable without judging you.  She will listen to you rant and rave without taking offense because she knows you are just going through a rough time.  A true friend will do anything possible to help you - even take a child to Scouts while you are at the soccer field.  She will tease you and love on you in the same breath - and you know her teasing is always in love.

While there are some heroes among us, very few friends will literally lay down their lives for you - and that is okay.  I only have one Friend who has ever laid down His life for me - and I don't expect any of my other friends to make such a sacrifice.  However, true friends will be there with you until the end, making sure you feel the love of the One who died for you.

Yes, being a friend is inconvenient.  Loving someone is never easy all the time.  But you have a great opportunity as a mother to teach your children about friendship and love.  Are you teaching your children to focus on themselves, or are you willing to be inconvenienced to teach your children about true friendship and love?  Friendship and love are two of the things that are caught, not taught.  Be an example to those around you, knowing anyone can change.

What kind of friend are you?  What kind of friend are you going to choose to be?