HELP FOR THE FAMILY/YOUNG PEOPLE - How to Make Real Friends

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Define real friendship.  The Bible describes a friend as someone who"sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) Is that the kind of friend you want?  Is that the kind of friend you are?  To help you answer those questions, write down three qualities that you would want a friend to have. then write down three qualities that you bring to a friendship. Ask yourself:  'Which of my online contacts display the qualities that I value in a friend?  Which qualities would those friends say I bring to the friendship? -Bible principle:  Philippians 2:4.  

Establish priorities.  Online friendships are often based on a shared interest, such as a hobby. However, having common values is more important than having similar interests.  "I may not have a lot of friends," says 21-year-old Leanne, "but the ones I do have make me want to be a better person." -Bible principle: Proverbs 13:20.  

Get out and meet people.  There is nothing quite the same as face-to-face conversation, where you and another person can observe the subtle nuances of voice tone, facial expression, and body language. - Bible principle: 1 Thessalonians 2:17. 

Write a letter.  Old-fashioned as it may seem, letter writing sends the message that you care enough about someone to give him or her your undivided attention.  That kind of focus is rare in today's multitasking world.   For example, in her book Alone Together, Sherry Turkle writes  one young man who says he cannot remember ever receiving a personal letter in his life.  Referring to the time  when people wrote letters, he says;  "I miss those days even though I wasn't alive."  Why not make use of this old technology' to make friends?  Note: I still write letters.  

The bottom line.  Real friendship; involves more than just keeping in touch. It requires that you and your friend display love, empathy, patience, and forgiveness.  Those qualities ultimately make a friendship rewarding.  But they are difficult to display when you only talk online. 

Next time:IS GOD INTERESTED IN YOU -DOES GOD PAY ATTENTION TO YOU? 

From the Awake! magazine