Friendship

AUG. 5, 1980, 6:23 AM
W. WILLOW, STUDY

Friendship, o son, is one of the chief characteristics of human/spiritual interaction. When people interact there always is the potential for their becoming friends – a word that stands for a powerful concept. True friendship is more than a strictly human relationship… of course, it involves an intermingling of spirits, which also can include Mine.

Some friendships develop slowly, even painfully. Two people may know each other for some period of time, yet neither really thinks of the other as a friend. Or relationships can be one-way, with one desiring friendship but the other rejecting or ignoring any overtures. There is acquaintanceship, but no friendship. Gradually, however, there can be the development of appreciation which is mutual, and both finally acknowledge a friendship… and begin to act like friends.

Other friendships develop in a one-sided way, with one person desiring and behaving “as if” the relationship existed until the other responds and completes the friendship bond.

Still other friendships develop almost instantaneously, with each person immediately responding to the other. Each trusts the other, and each is willing to share, not only ideas, but stories of self that are personal and revealing. Each knows the other is a friend… as if the relationship had existed over much time. This was the experience you had yesterday with Jean… immediate friendship.

You know what comes next, but let Me reaffirm it. Friendships can be almost entirely human, for each of you is “made” with a spirit that reaches out to and embraces and values other humans. Yet the best friendships are those in which I am a partner. Friendships are fundamentally one-to-one relations, but if I am involved in your life, the nature of friendships is different from those where I am not actively involved.

But before We develop that idea let’s acknowledge that the ideal relationship with Me is that of friendship. You can worship Me as Lord, you can fear Me as Judge, you can stand in awe of My Power… yet you can also hold My hand and know Me as friend. This you do quite naturally. I sought you as a friend, as I do every being, and you responded with acknowledgement and with concern . Of course, I am a “strange” friend in that I am always with you and in you, observing what you do and what happens to you… and willingly commenting on these events in helpful ways. Yet I am going to be with you anyway, so it might as well be in acknowledged friendship.