Do they listen to all your hardships/whining/complaining without trying to steer you one way or the other? Do they stoop and fetch for you and never ask you to do the same? Do they function as your punching bag or insult target and never make the slightest effort to avoid your slander or abuse?
Some people do these things from an attitude of fear. They don't know if anyone else will accept them, will want to be around them. They may be looking for friend and getting only companionship. They don't run away because they're not sure anyone will come after them.
Some people do these things from a feeling of despair. They are beyond fear and feel unlovable; in some cases, the abuse they received is mistaken for love. The attention they get is painful but not as painful as the silence on being alone.
Some people do these things out of love. They will smile and tell you that you are still OK to them. They will tell you that it's no bother. They will tell you that it's not as bad as it looks or they didn't take it that way. They will mask pain, disappointment, and suffering in hope that you will see what love can endure.
Love, unlike a friend, lasts forever; true friends will last a lifetime but only love is eternal. Friends may never say "I love you"; friends will model love with their lives. Because of love, friends don't seek superiority or advantage or intimidation over their friends; friends nurture, refresh, and encourage each other.
Friends can exemplify love, but it's up to us to recognize the love, accept the love, internalize the love. Most importantly, friends are Jesus to one another. Jesus was the epitome of love; He is love personified. Jesus constantly reached out to those in need of healing, instruction, and forgiveness - even to the man who ordered His death.
Who has He sent to represent Himself to you? Will you receive them? Will you show Jesus to someone else?
Some people do these things from an attitude of fear. They don't know if anyone else will accept them, will want to be around them. They may be looking for friend and getting only companionship. They don't run away because they're not sure anyone will come after them.
Some people do these things from a feeling of despair. They are beyond fear and feel unlovable; in some cases, the abuse they received is mistaken for love. The attention they get is painful but not as painful as the silence on being alone.
Some people do these things out of love. They will smile and tell you that you are still OK to them. They will tell you that it's no bother. They will tell you that it's not as bad as it looks or they didn't take it that way. They will mask pain, disappointment, and suffering in hope that you will see what love can endure.
Love, unlike a friend, lasts forever; true friends will last a lifetime but only love is eternal. Friends may never say "I love you"; friends will model love with their lives. Because of love, friends don't seek superiority or advantage or intimidation over their friends; friends nurture, refresh, and encourage each other.
Friends can exemplify love, but it's up to us to recognize the love, accept the love, internalize the love. Most importantly, friends are Jesus to one another. Jesus was the epitome of love; He is love personified. Jesus constantly reached out to those in need of healing, instruction, and forgiveness - even to the man who ordered His death.
Who has He sent to represent Himself to you? Will you receive them? Will you show Jesus to someone else?
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