He is your field which you sow with love

and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board

and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger,

and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you

fear not the "nay" in your own mind,

nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases

not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship,

all thoughts, all expectations are born

and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend,

you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be

clearer in his absence, as the mountain to

the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship

save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the

disclosure of its own mystery is not

love but a net cast forth: and only

the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide,

let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should

seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need,

but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship

let there be laughter,

and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart

finds its morning and is refreshed.

~K Gibran~

Friendship gives license to show up

at the door of need without asking,

"When would you like me to come?" or

"What would you like me to do?"

Nor does friendship call out,

"Just let me know if you need anything."

Practiced friendship whispers,

"I'll be there" and promptly steps

through the door with sensitivity,

respect, and understanding.

But what about honouring

the right to invite?

Those who wait for parchment invitations

wait long, for need rarely throws a

party~~rarely even has a voice.

Yet need has its own needs.

It needs protection from strangers

tromping in with work boots and

good intentions.

And it needs relief from acquaintances

wearing the spiked heels of advice

and pat answers.

Need waits with longing for the familiar

entrance of dear ones who pad barefoot

through the soul on ordinary days.

~S Lenzkes~

A Friend is a Gift from GOD

Friends are not all the same

They impact our lives in many

different ways

Some bring brightness and gaiety

Others are a strong shelter in

troubled times

Many give the affirmation and

appreciation we need

Quite a few challenge us with the

way they live.

Friends are not all the same

God meant it that not one of

them can meet all our needs

That we may look To Him alone

To find satisfaction for all

our longings

But what a wonderful God we

have who chooses often

To minifest His love through

someone like you and me!

I thank GOD for my friends unique

imprints upon my life.

" There's a Miracle called Friendship

That dwells within the heart,

And you don't know how it happens

Or when it gets its start...

But the happiness it brings you

Always gives a special lift,

And you realize that 'FRIENDSHIP'

Is GOD'S most precious gift"