Sunday, November 15, 2009

Opinion: Called to Courage. Faint of Heart Need Not Apply - Catholic Online

Opinion: Called to Courage. Faint of Heart Need Not Apply - Catholic Online

TRUE FRIENDSHIP ENSURES ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIASTS' ULTIMATE REWARDS

Have you heard the phrase, "A friend in need is a friend indeed."? Yes, we find our true friends when we end up in the hospital, in the prison cell, in the hospice environment, in the homeless shelter, or in any other location that most people avoid because they may feel tainted or unwelcome. There are "takers" and there are "givers" in every person's life situations. The "takers" like to absorb all that they can from individuals that they prey upon; and when the "pantry" runs dry, these "takers" are gone to another individual to continue their exploits on the innocent and the unwary. "Takers" are the least persons who know what friendship is all about.

"Givers know how to serve the needs of strangers, the depressed, the unwanted, the ungodly, the outcasts, the imprisoned, the dying, the least loved in their communities, and the forgotten desparate souls in need of peace, joy, and love. "Givers" know how to love unconditionally by AIRING, SHARING, CARING, AND BEARING with the individuals that they serve. Givers are willing to actively listen to your every concern. Givers are open to hear and to listen to your sharing and your intimate secrets as a total confidant. People are unphased by what a person knows, but these people welcome "givers" who really care enough to give the very best. Givers will "bear" in all of their empathy "ups" and "downs" as individuals "vent" what really gnaws at their very core as a person. Yes, true friendship is a rarity for any personal relationship. However, with a positive "giver" attitude, a deep, abiding friendship will accept a person AS THEY ARE rather than remake a person into a phony. True Friendship is sincere, patient, kind, gentle, meek, humble, and all-loving in multiple dimensions.

Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts' thrive on true friendships to make their daily journey in a positive, determined, and dedicated manner up and down the Ladder of Achievement to eventually reach the ultimate goal of all true friendships, a personal relationship with their Creator. IN GOD WE REALLY TRUST, AND WHO IS A TRUE FRIEND! When we cultivate a lasting friendship, the work begins by making a friend. The next step is being a friend. And finally, by bringing that friend to the Ultimate Friend of All, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the Savior and Redeemer of all friends. By taking on the attitude of the World's Most Loving Friend, our daily attitude reflects what we see in others. The most beautiful Temples of the Holy Spirit, the very Indwelling of Jesus Christ, is honored, respected, and acknowledged in adoration and compassion. To see the image of God, the loving friendship of Jesus Christ, in each person that we meet daily means that we are discovering the greatest gift of all...THE LOVE OF GOD MULTIPLIED OVER AND OVER AGAIN in the SACRED VESSELS OF EACH HUMAN BEING THAT GOD CREATED. The Ladder of Achievement will be accomplished and achieved by the inspiration of True Friends that touch our lives daily when they accept us as we are and encourage us to grow and to blossom into the unique human beings that we are destined to be...yesterday, today, and tomorrow.