Learning to Be a Friend
What does it really mean to be a friend? It sounds simple—just hang out, and that’s it. But being a friend is more than calling to check in, chatting about other people, or dropping by. Sure, that’s what casual friendship looks like. But genuine friendship is something deeper.
I have a friend I consider a true friend. Recently she needed help and reached out to me. At that moment I was swamped with my own tasks. But then I felt a strong urge to help. It was as if some unseen force—not of my own volition—pushed me to act. When I brought her what she needed (and time was running out), she burst into tears like a child. She was so overwhelmed and happy. Those tears were real; I thought she might hug me to death! She jumped up, tearful, and ran around the room exclaiming, “I want to give you something! What can I give you?” I laughed because I didn’t need anything from her. But it was such a lovely moment. For her, it meant the world. And I realized—well, I understood in those last five minutes—that she wouldn’t need it tomorrow.
