A good friend

Jayze and I like attending the Gospel Principles class for Sunday School here in Michigan. This is the class where mainly investigators and converts to the Church go. Jayze and I like it because, even though we've been members our whole lives, we feel it's good to go back and learn the basics. Plus, the comments from the investigators and converts always make me want to do better and be better.

At the tail end of yesterday's class, the instructor asked the question, "What makes a good friend?" Then he had each person individually answer.

"A good friend is someone who is...kind, compassionate, dependable, trustworthy, has your back, loves you for who you are, relates to you, listens, provides service, is generous..."

I didn't think much of these answers at the time because I was thinking about what I would say. I happened to be last. When it came time for me to answer, I said, "A good friend is someone who truly cares about you in good times and bad times." I thought that was a pretty good answer and kind of sighed in relief that I didn't mess up (I have a hard time talking in front of a large group of people).

Sunday School ended, but the question of, "What makes a good friend?" and the answers everyone gave finally sunk in and stayed with me. Kind. Compassionate. Dependable. Trustworthy. Loving. All of these qualities, and more, in good times AND bad times.

They are beautiful qualities, and I think everyone should have that kind of a friend.

Then I thought, "Am I that kind of a friend?"

Memories of kindnesses shown to me and my family and fun times we've had with those Jayze and I regard as good friends flashed through my mind, and the thoughts came, "I hope I can be that kind of friend. I want to be that kind of friend."

To my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, people in general all around me. Because those qualities go a long way, and I think this world needs a lot more of it.

"Have courage and be kind." 

(Cinderella, 2015)