Choosing Friends with JP

Choosing friends is such a broad topic but here are some quick thoughts and know that you can email me your ideas and wise counsel as well – I’d love it. 
 
Here at Camp, we train our staff to create the atmosphere, take the initiative to connect campers to Camp by taking personal interest and building trust.  Camp may seem like a “bubble” kind of environment, but we think not – you can and must do the same individually and as a family.  Isn’t it funny how motives always surface in relationships? 
 
In choosing friends use these HIGH FIVE DO BE’s …
 
Be prayerful
Be intentional
Be willing & open
Be honest & truthful
Be an advocate
 
Alright, what kind of friends do you run around with, and are they real friends that you can rely on at any hour and in any situation?  Do know that our children mimic us and our choices.  Therefore. be patient, look carefully, and don’t be surprised that we may be seeing ourselves being replicated right before our very eyes.
 
Here are some essential qualifiers in choosing a friend:  Do they have your best interest … willing to tell you the truth … ready to stand by you & up for you … can you count on them?
 
Finally,
 

1. Proverbs is packed with wisdom and lessons of making, keeping and being a friend
    
2. There are great examples throughout the Bible of friendships:  Abraham / God; David/Jonathon; Naomi / Ruth; Paul / Silas; Jesus / Disciples (John 15)
    
3. Be a 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 kind of friend … patient, kind, not boastful, not rude, etc
    
4. Jesus was a friend of sinners, loving and accepting them – let’s not be too quick to shun or pass over others

 
Fun assignment:  List out your own ABC’s – Z  (A= available, B= bold, C=compassionate … Z=zealous) that you want in a friend and here’s the kicker the … BE that kind of friend you!
 

Warning:  Mom / Dad it is not your role to be your child’s friend while raising them.  They need a parent to guide, instruct, accept, love and laugh with … NO MATTER WHAT!  College is a time when you can transition into the friend status.  Too many parents retard their child’s development by befriending over parenting.

 
Ahh grasshoper …choose wisely,