"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." ~ Walter Winchell

Of all the decisions we make in life, who our friends are is one of the most crucial. Friends can be a blessing to you or they can ruin you. Throughout my life my family has had various types of friends, especially over the last year and a half, due to Pizza Night. So many people have come into our lives, and then left again, but not without having an affect and leaving memories.

We have friends enter our lives for only a short time, a long time, or even for the rest of our lives. Some are like us, some seem to be nothing at all like us. Even those who are like us aren't exactly like us. No one is EXACTLY alike, we all know that! And we all have our faults, no one is perfect. No matter how much we try to hide them, our faults are always there and, eventually, they'll be found out. If people around us don't see them, God always knows they're there. But does He stop loving us because of our faults? Absolutely not! So why should we?

So many times we throw the term “best friend” around, using it for the friends that we have the most fun with. But one thing that my Dad has always taught us and I’ve come to realize myself is that the fun friends aren’t always the best friends. Not that they can’t be our best friends, but just because they’re fun to be around and we like them doesn’t mean they’re the best friends we have.
A best friend is someone who sticks by you when everyone else is against you, someone who supports and encourages you when you're in trouble, someone who knows your faults and still loves you, someone who is always there for you.

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

In life we come across so many different situations with our friends. Often we find out what it’s like to be judged and stereotyped based on who we hang out with. We have friends suddenly leave with or without an explanation and realize that there is nothing we can do to bring them back. But we also have friends who are always there, always ready to help, whether that includes just being there to cry, laugh, talk, just sit there without saying anything, or anything with us.

Over the past few years I, personally, have been, more than once, in need of a good friend to cry with, laugh with, or just to be there to listen to me. And just when I needed them most, I had friends who, though they might have been miles and miles away, took the time to talk to me, to let me cry on their shoulder, so to speak. I wonder if people realize just how good it is to have someone there for you, unless they've actually experienced having a need filled.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

Are YOU a real friend to someone?

You've Got A Friend in Me
by Randy Newman

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Send “You've Got A Friend In Me” Ringtone to Your Cell