Weekly Thought Archives > Gold or Silver?

Gold or Silver?

"Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold," our daughters, Brenda and Mary Helen, sang after camp one summer. I admit, I would prefer Pavarotti’s arias, but the truth of this ditty sank in. One of my greatest pleasures, as well as responsibilities, is introducing people who can be helpful to one another. I love to see friendships start, knowing how much mine mean to me.

Friendship is defined by freedom. Our CPA is a young woman whose dog died the other night about 2:30AM. She said, "I nearly called you." The only better compliment she could have paid me would have been a call at 2:31. When my friends have trouble, I am honored when they call me. How can I be a friend if I don’t have the opportunity?

Friendships are mutual. This should keep us from feeling too self-righteousness about what we bring to a relationship. And, it should keep us from feeling too guilty from what we take. Good friends protect the mutuality.

The Friendship Mutual Bank takes deposits and makes withdrawals. We add to the account by acts of friendliness, helpfulness, and cooperation. My good friend, Steve Brown, called me and simply said, 'May I cash another check?" I knew exactly what he meant. Over the years, our account values grew to significant amounts. We never dreaded the NSF stamp on our friendship.

Users want to draw out more than they deposit --- they belie the mutuality.

Fredisms on Friendship:

1) Long-term friendships are like long-term investments -- they are buy and hold.

2) Friendship understands silence even better than words.

3) A really good friend is one whose letter you don’t have to answer right away.

4) Friendship must be flexible enough to change as life circumstances do.

5) Friendship doubles the joy and divides the grief.

6) Borrowed money is the cancer of friendship.

This week carefully think about: 1) Who is my best friend? Why? 2) Whose bank can I make a deposit in today? 3) How do my friends describe me to others?

Words of Wisdom: "One of my greatest pleasures, as well as responsibilities, is introducing people who can be helpful to one another.'

Wisdom from the Word: And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called God’s friend. (James 2:23 NET Bible)