sin and spinach

I was talking with my younger brother the other night (he's 17 and seems to always have interesting thoughts on almost any subject) about friends. He asked me, "What to you consider to be the best kind of friend?" After a pause to think about it, I concluded this person to be someone who is honest- who if I were going down the wrong path would tell me so, or if I did/were about to do something that could hurt my testimony would confront me out of love and concern.

It's the same principal as if I had spinach in my teeth. After seeing the spinach, what if no one bothered to tell me? Then I could be going along, smiling as I go and not knowing! Wouldn't that be aweful? In fact, I do have a similar story...

At an all girls camp, one night we campers delighted ourselves with yummy oreos topped with peanut butter (a truly delightful snack! One almost can't help but bond with those they eat it with). After a good time had passed, I somehow I came to notice I had black oreo cookie stuck all in my teeth! Talk about embarassing. A good friend of mine was with me at the time. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked her. It was that night that she promised to tell if ever something like that happened again. And you know what? Being the great friend she is, she has kept that promise.

What is it about some family and friends, that they can sometimes be so blunt and honest, yet when all is said and done, it is generally understood that there is love between them? In my case, though I may be upset for a time when reproached/corrected, in the end, I know that which was said was for my benefit and growth, and so I can't help but have gratitude, respect, and trust with that person. In fact, a friend that would care enough about me to reproach me when I'm doing wrong and tell me the truth (out of love and genuine care) would be one I would treasure. I am so thankful to have a few of these treasures in my life, and I want to be brave enough myself to be the same.

Proverbs 27:6 says," Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." What is the best kind of friend? The "sin and spinach" kind. Look out for your sisters!

End Note: The phrase "sin and spinach" was shared with me by my good friend, Elizabeth, who I think heard it from someone else. All that to say, no, I'm not the clever one who it originated from. :P

P.S.

What are your thoughts on friendship?