You must be friendly and patient with all people, because the Lord is coming again soon. Philippians 4:5, The Bible for the Deaf

 

I have a colleague who is probably the friendliest person I have ever met. Her warm personality and sincere interest in people radiate from her like a light. When someone new joins the team, she always makes the effort to get to know him/her a little better and to build a relationship with the individual. It means that she is one of the most beloved people in the team. She is not afraid to greet the stranger in the lift either. And when she sees them again, she is happy to have a friendly chat.

 

Friendliness is definitely one of the nicest characteristics that a person can have. It is a characteristic that attracts people to you because you make people feel good and important. You feel happy when someone else has been friendly to you.

 

No wonder that it is also a “fruit of the Spirit”. “But when the Holy Spirit lives in people and rules over them, then their lives change: They love other people, they are pleased with them, they make peace, they are patient, they are friendly and good, they do what they promise ...” (Galatians 5:22, EBD)

 

To boot, friendliness costs nothing and does wonders for your own heart.

 

So whenever you feel that you have nothing to offer other people, nothing to give – remember that you can always be friendly. It is more than enough to make most people’s day.

 

Prayer: God, this year, help me to be friendly to the people I encounter every day. Help me to make a difference in someone’s life in this way, even on days when I do not feel particularly friendly. Amen.