“Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.” ~Prov. 18:24

Have you ever felt alone, forsaken, or “friendless”? Most of us have at one time or another, longing to have friendships that would last forever. Well I have good news! You can create forever friendships, if you’re careful to create healthy boundaries.

My friend, Tracy, and I have been the best of friends for almost 20 years. We’ve celebrated together, cried together, and supported each other through difficult times. We’ve been willing to accept each other’s successes and failures, agree to disagree (at times), and see each other’s hearts.

A true friend has these qualities:

• Loves you and accepts you as you are
• Never betrays confidence
• Does not gossip
• Speaks positively to and about you
• Encourages you
• Celebrates your successes
• Is honest and trustworthy
• Is not jealous
• Has integrity
• Stands by you and defends you

Forever friendships are a blessing from God. Joyce Meyer often says that if you have one true friend throughout your life, consider yourself blessed. Friendship should never be taken for granted. Just remember, you must take an honest look at yourself and evaluate what kind of friend you are.

As the old saying goes, “In order to have a friend, you must be a friend!”

Be encouraged today: God has some special relationships in-store for you. Trust Him and wait on His perfect timing. He loves you!

Part 2 of this series will help you learn how to create healthy boundaries by showing you how to realize and understand all the relationships in your life and which “catagory” each relationship falls into.