Essential Qualities of a Friend

I suppose there are more qualities, but these are for me the top of the list. I am working on the assumption that my best friend would love the Lord (or else how did we become best friends in the first place?). I’ll take each one separately.

LOYALTY: This is so important to me mostly because of my background. When I was little, my whole parents and my brothers got betrayed by people who were like family to us. It was a hard time for us; my brothers and I still have issues with trusting people as a result of that. I do not trust easily therefore when I do trust, I want to know that it will not be betrayed.

Also, I go the extra mile for my friends; while I do not expect them to go the extra mile for me, I need to know that they have my back. I need to know that if there are rumours flying around about me, regardless of how bad the evidence looks, they will defend me to others. I will not do any less. So for me, loyalty is definitely a HUGE one.

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE: I am not perfect, but then no one else is. I believe love is love inspite of our flaws. Love does not force the loved to change. Love might wish the loved would change, but if that change does not occur, love does not stop loving. I need my friends to accept me for who I am and love me despite my flaws. Anyone who pushes me into change, can’t be my friend.

STRAIGHT TALK: Now, I know above, I said I did not want to be changed, but I need my friends to be able to point out to me, bluntly where I’m being foolish. I don’t want friends who will see me making my way to hell and just sit and watch because they are scared of giving offense – I have no need for folks like that. Friends like that, I’ll tolerate, but I know they are not really my friends. Not where it counts.

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