7 CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE FRIEND




















The very pretty lady in green is my Best Friend (BF), Adeline. She is also a SAHM. Her son is already 2 yrs old. BTW, If Barnabas is still around, they will be about the same age. We got pregnant at the same time - not arranged... hmm... anyway this kind of thing how to do it purposely :) We were friends since Poly and still is!!!!!! I am not going to talk about our past here cos it will be too much to record all down. She has showed me what being a friend really is. I got on my list below, 7 characteristics of a friend and coincidentally, it spells out her name. Here goes,

A TRUE FRIEND IS:

1. Accepting - This is the number one characteristic of any relationships. Nothing is more important than to be accepted by someone you loved. By acceptance, I don't mean accepting blindly and let your friend do anything she wants even if it's bad and still pretend to smile. That's hypocritical! I meant, when something goes wrong, the person will honestly tell you but will still love you just as much despite the mistake.
I am very relaxed when I am with my BF cos I know she will not critise or despise me for any nonsense I say or do. If it's really bad, she will tell me. Vice versa.... hee hee!

2. Dependable - A friend needs to be someone that you can depend on, especially with secrets! And when you are down, the person will be there to encourage you and sometimes just to keep quiet and listen. Another word, she must be trustworthy.
My BF & I shares our darkest secrets and we know no one else will ever find out. When I am upset, she listens empathically and patiently as I poured out my woes. And when I am happy, she shares in my happiness!

3. Easy-going- Yes, you don't have to worry about saying the wrong things. The both of you can chat just about everything under the sun. Conflicts will be lesser if both takes things easier. Being around with too serious people can be very stressful. That's the last thing you need cos life itself, (esp in Singapore) is stressful enough. You just want a friend who can laugh and joke with you without worrying that you might offend her.
My dear BF & I chat on the phone almost everyday. We spent lots of time laughing and talking about our favourite blogger, Mr Brown, of course! I am never worried about offending her cos I know she knows!!

4. Loving - What is friendship without love! More so if you are a christian. Read 1 cor 13 and you will know what love empasses. Also read about David and Jonathan's close friendship in Kings. Love is really more of that person and less of yourself! Not just loving words but loving actions too. Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times. Yup, love is all around me, come on and and let it shows!
Needless to say, my BF & I love each other in deeds and in words!

5. Involved - Your friend will loved to be involved in what you are doing so that she can be your greatest support. And yes, your best prayer partner & sometimes even counselor.
My hubby laughed every time he sees me reporting everything to my BF! My BF prays for me as well as my DS. She is also someone I go to for advice.

6. Never taking things for granted - A friend knows her boundaries and is sensitive to your feelings and needs. She respects your decisions, likes, dislikes and most importantly you as a person.
Though Adeline and I have been friends for many years, we still says please and thank you each time we do something for each other. And she remembers my birthday (I always missed hers by a day... really bad! But she is not upset cos she knows me!), my likes & dislikes. In fact we have common enemies - cockroaches & spring onions! Yucks, yucks yucks.......etc.

7. Ever ready - A friend will put down whatever she is doing when you need her help or her shoulder to cry on. She is like a soldier at the frontline, ever ready to give, love and support.
I remembered when Barnabas was in hospital (the day before he passed away), my BF was with me the whole night till morning, leaving her then 4 months old baby at home with her hubby. She was there comforting me the whole night.

Yup, A.D.E.L.I.N.E is what makes a true friend. I believe there are more to add on to the list. I am very blessed to have two best friends in my life. One is Adeline and the other my Dear Hubby.

A note to Adeline: Thanks for being my friend for so many years and still being there for me each time I need you.

A note to my Dear Hubby: You will always be my best friend till death do us part! Thanks for sharing this life with me.

Finally a note to all: Be A.D.E.L.I.N.E, treasure your friendships with one another. Your friend is one of the vessels that the Lord used to brighten your day and put an arm around you when you need one.