FRIEND

As Anna pulled out of the driveway this morning her little dog sat there and watched.  Chimmy kept looking at me and looking down the driveway.  We started to walk back in and she would turn around as if to say, “I wanted to go.”  If dogs cried I know that she was crying.  What a loyal friend that dog is.

When you think of a friend whom do you think of?  What characteristics should a great friend possess?

Yesterday Charles Stanley gave a list of what a true friend consists of.  This is the criterion from Dr. Stanley:

A FRIEND

1.     A treasure. One who loves you as you are.

2.     One who sees not only who you are, but who you can become.

3.     One who is there to catch you when you fall.

4.     One with whom you can share your everyday experiences. 

5.     One who accepts your worst, but helps you become your best.

6.     Someone who understands your past, believes in your future and accepts you today just the way you are.

7.     Someone who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

A friend is a gift from God.  Jesus teaches us how to be a good friend and equips us with what we need to be a friend.  He also tells us what kind of friends we don’t need. (Proverbs)

How would you rate yourself as a friend?  You could probably say that you have been a good friend, but at times you have fallen short in the friend category.    With this being the week of Valentines pray for you to be a faithful friend bringing others to Christ and pray for Him to send you special friends to share your life with. 

(Charles Stanley TV broadcast February 6, 2014)