"A True Friend!"

"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
It been said that the true friends one has in a lifetime can be counted on one hand.  Truly friends that will stick with us and stand up for us through thick and thin are rare.
That is what makes them so precious!  I have friends who have been closer to me than family.  What about you?  In order for us to have friends we must do as the Bible says.  We must be friendly.  We can't be stand-offish and expect people to warm up to us.  I have a tendency to be that way myself at times.  My wife can make friends easily, it is a little harder for me, for I am shy by nature.  It really takes an effort on my part, but when I put forth the effort I receive a blessing for doing so.  To be a good friend to someone will take time and energy.  A good friend cares enough to listen, and dares to point out the mistakes we make in a loving non-judgemental way.  The best friend I have ever had was a carpenter by trade.  He didn't have a lot of money nor did he live in a fine house.  My friend didn't hold a college degree and was known to associate with people who lived on the fringes of society.  This friend gave His life for me so I could live.  Have you such a friend?  Well you can.  My best friend's name is Jesus!