continued..."what is a friend?"

here are some of my epiphanies about the nature of friendship:

1) it's really hard work. to have a deep relationship with someone means having to care, even when you don't feel like it. It also means not being afraid of extending yourself and initiating...often that entails curtailing your ego.
2) true friendships only happen by God's grace. even if you want to be close to someone, they may not be on the same page as you yet (and perhaps never will)...and that's ok.
3) it demands honesty. if you can't build up the courage to tell your friend something is wrong...then you need to work on being vulnerable. if you want the friendship enough, it means having to feel uncomfortable and say things that may not be pleasing to hear.

I'm becoming more aware of my "Dr.Wilson complex". For those who don't watch "House", Dr.Wilson is a character who is really a very caring friend, but also thrives on being needed (as opposed to Dr.House, who thrives on being despised and ignored). I'm beginning to realize that I suffer from that too...and that I need to shift my focus from "wanting to feel needed" to "serving Christ through loving others".

Haha...see how I'm proving to you that I'm an overthinker?