Walking With Friends

When it comes it comes to friendship, consider someone's enjoyment and respect for your company to be of more value than matters such as whether or not they can "keep up with you in a conversation."

As you walk with a group of friends through a mall or on a hike, you may notice that a new friend often likes listening to what you are saying in a conversation but may not know what to say themselves.

Christians,

You shouldn’t decide whether or not to maintain a friendship with someone who enjoys your company based on what you feel you personally get out of it.  In a friendship, you may prefer something specific, such as someone who is funny, or conversely, someone who is serious.  However, you want to think about your friend’s well-being and what you offer to them over what you see them as offering to you.  If they like to join you and your other friends for lunch or at the movies, consider it more than worthwhile to maintain that relationship because you are giving that person company they respect and enjoy. 

As you walk with a group of friends through a mall or on a hike, you may notice that a new friend often likes listening to what you are saying in a conversation but may not know what to say themselves. Don’t say to yourself at some point that they don’t seem to be able to hold up their end of the conversation and maybe should be left out the next time you call people.  Instead, be glad you are providing that friend with an experience they are happy to be a part of.

Thinking of what you can do for a friend is also a hallmark of a genuine friendship.  Thinking primarily of what one can get out of a friendship is the opposite of that hallmark.  By providing your friendship to those who like spending time with you, you help make other people’s lives better and you maintain more genuine friendships.