Our pastor’s wife read “A Mom’s Version of 1 Corinthians 13” on Mother’s Day. I got to thinking of what 1 Corinthians 13 would be if it were a “friendship” version. Please note that I am NOT adding to the Bible, merely explaining in my words what I think 1 Corinthians 13 looks like in our friendships.
If I give unsolicited advice and have not love, my words will fall on deaf ears. If I have the gift of helping others but end up stepping in too often or forcefully, I end up merely enabling or creating codependency. If I am too busy to spend time listening and hearing what my friends have to say, I am not a loving friend at all.
A loving friend patiently waits for her friend to tell the waiter how to precisely fix her steak and salad while all the patrons around them stare. A loving friend speaks words of kindness when she wants to ring her friend’s neck for making unhealthy decisions. A loving friend is not envious of the brand new Mercedes parked in her friend’s garage. A loving friend does not brag about the new Audi parked in her own garage. A loving friend speaks in a loving tone of voice. A loving friend goes without complaining to a movie, play or restaurant that is not her favorite, but the favorite of her friend. A loving friend does not yell at her friend when she hurts her. A loving friend doesn’t hold a grudge when a fleeting high school memory of her friend getting together with the boy she originally had a crush on. A loving friend does not snicker when her friend suffers consequences of bad decisions. A loving friend rejoices with others. A loving friend hugs her friends so they know how much they are loved and treasured. A loving friend doesn’t gossip but shows trustworthiness. A loving friend always look with hope for her friends future. A loving friend hangs on through thick and thin to those healthy friendships. Loving, Christ-like friendships never fail.
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