I treasure friendships. I find it as one of the most valuable things in life.

I love stories about great friendships. It touches my heart when I hear or read a story where I can see that people really connects, cares and have a deep friendship. The world literature is full of good stories, but also if I dig in people’s personal stories, if I ask people, many will tell strong stories about friends they have. True friends may stand by you through turbulent and traumatic times. Friends can make a party rock like nothing else. How great is it not to celebrate and party with close friends! Friends share a history, good stories, funny episodes, mistakes and all kinds of experiences.

Some of my closest friends have been on my side through some really rough periods. They know my face. They can see it when I am happy or hurt, when I am sorry or just tired. Maybe everybody can, but a close friend would acknowledge what he sees and might take needed action; give me a hug, an encouragement or even a much needed ‘Pull yourself together’ message.

Jesus is my idol in most areas, also when it comes to friendship. He had very close friends in Martha, Mary and Lazarus. That is described in the New Testament. He also had the 12 men he had trained for around 3 years when he told them:
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

When a friend tells me her innermost secrets and shares his challenges and cares with me I know I’ve got a true friend.