Such Are My Friends

These are how I see my friends.

Some are Christians, who claim to love the Lord and want to live a life that glorifies God. They appear to be loving and caring, but it's because they think that is the way to get people to buy their religion. They practice this attitude until it becomes their god.

I also have family and friends who walk the political-correct tightrope. They take it upon themselves to also educate me about the consequences of being political incorrect, and the most immediate lesson from them, is that I will be attacked. This kind of attitude has nothing to do with inviting an honest debate about truth, but everything to do with wanting to appear up-to-date in their postmodern thinking, and an ultimate challenge to God's sovereignty.

There's also this group of non-Christian friends that I have. I value their friendship because these are people with compassion. They may not be well learned, but their right and wrong is very clear. Many of them are well learned, but they continue to want to know more and are honest with what they don't know. As such, they listen to my struggles with genuine love and they are quick to forgive if my language is less than perfect, and when my political view appears conservative. A few of them are so comfortable with themselves, that they allow you to be yourself too. They are not in a hurry to correct me if I am wrong. They see me as just another human being. I can even talk to them about God.

I also have friends who seem to be compassionate Christians, a good combination of the above two groups. Unfortunately, they are either too extrovert, too Chinese, or too something for me to want to be closer to them.

I have two best friends, who seem to have everything I want in a friend. But they are my daughters and as such, there are things I don't feel free to share as a mother. That generational boundary will always be there, and it is a necessary boundary. Not to keep them out, but to keep them safe. And that is the price all mothers pay. Or am I wrong? When does a mother's responsibility to protect end?

The best friend is Jesus. And I will learn His ways and always strive to be a good friend to those I love.