A Friend Indeed

I remember having a conversation with my oldest son a few years ago after he'd experienced some disappointment with a friend.  

The friend in question was not supportive of a prestigious study-abroad opportunity he had been offered and ultimately would accept, and was doing everything they could to keep him from pursuing. 

One of the many things I shared with him as I helped talk him through that painful situation went something like this: 

You know your true friends by the way they celebrate with you when you win.  

This is one of the truest things I've ever said to my son about friendship.  If you have a friend or a loved one who doesn't celebrate your wins, you have to wonder where their heart really is when it comes to your relationship.  

Maybe you have someone like that in your life.  The kind of person who always finds the cloud in your silver linings.  

And I'm not talking about the sort of friend who helps you keep things "real," or who speaks the truth to you in love.  I'm talking about the kind of person who never seems to share the joy of your successes with you, never seems to find happiness in yours.  

The Apostle Paul addressed how Christians should be true friends, and embody the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ with their friendship.  In his letter to the Romans, he said: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

In other words, lift your friends up by supporting them when they are rejoicing and when they are struggling.  Be a true friend, who is becoming love like Jesus is love.  

Author and motivational speaker Bob Goff puts it like this: 

People who are becoming love celebrate how far the people around them have come.  They're constantly asking the question, "Where do you want to go?" Then they help the people around them get there. 

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.