The definition of true friendship taken from Webster's Dictionary reads as follows:
(n.) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between
persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good
will.
(n.) Kindly aid; help; assistance,
(n.) Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony; correspondence.

I recently witnessed a true test of friendship first hand. When we first met a friend of ours they were living high on the hog. They had a million plus dollar house and invited everyone from the bar over every Sunday and had a cook out. They were great people and we became instant friends. Not because of their money, but because of who they are. They have 3 kids and use every experience as a learning tool. They sat us down and had us share our experience with them and asked them what they could learn from it. You see 2 years ago our house burned down and left us with nothing but the clothes on our back and each other. The children all responded that they learned not to take things for granted.

Shortly after we met them they experienced something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy let alone my best friend. They had all of their money tied up in real estate and the market crashed. They lost everything. They couldn't pay their bills let alone continue having people over to their house every week. They started selling their belongings just to make ends meet. They were borrowing money from every source imaginable. They eventually lost their house and had to move. They called on their "friends" to help. About 5 people showed up and truly helped. Then there were those who showed up, asked what they could have and left. This hurt me deeply. These great people needed help and their "friends" abandoned them.

Then there was the dilemma of where they were going to live. They lived with a friend, in a hotel for a while and then ultimately moved in with his father. This put a strain on both the relationship he had with his father as well as the relationship with his new wife and family. They kept the faith and when their story got to the church they were offered a chance to move into an apartment (rent free) until they got on their feet. Our friend is an author and was in the process of writing a book. He received mixed feedback on this issue anywhere from "get a job and provide for your family" to "you can do it".

He did just that, he has created

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Testimonies: True friendship?
We want to hear your view. Write now!