What quality do you value most in a friend?
Finding and keeping a friend has probably been the greatest challenge of my life. As I have moved from ministry to ministry, people will often give into your life while you are close in proximity. When you move, they often move on. My mom told me years ago that I would be blessed if I could count my true friends on one hand. She was right. This is not to say that there haven’t been great encouragers in my life. But there is something to be said for those who consistently show up for you in good and bad times, giving and receiving the blessing of friendship.
In 2007, God gave me a friend who has consistently been there for me. He lives about 4 1/2 hours away. He has helped me with moves, and I have provided him lodging when he was coming nearby for seminary. We have called each other through the years to share the joys and challenges of our ministries. No one understands like another pastor. He has challenged me to think on a higher level and has had me in stitches laughing so hard. He has consistently shown up for nearly 20 years.
In recent years, God gave me another friend. We get together once a month to eat and talk about life. When I served on staff where he attends church, he would text and check in on me frequently. I moved on from the church at the end of last year, but we continue to meet and encourage each other. Again…consistency.
In my opinion, inconsistency makes a person an acquaintance rather than a friend. Motive also reveals if one is a true friend. Even better, hardships will reveal who your true friends are. While it may be nice to have people pop in and out, a faithful friend can’t be beat.
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