Ok, I admit, I'm GUILTY.

Guilty of not following through with commitments.  Guilty of not being available for others in their time of need.

You know, I had a friend who was in a Rehab program a while back.  I said I would go visit him, and I did a couple of times.  Then I became too caught up in my own life to be able to make the time to "be there" for him.  It was a whole 15 mile drive out of my way, and I just flat out justified it by making up excuses in my head.

So, I've come to the recent realization, (and I guess this goes back to my previous blog about telling someone you've been meaning to call them).....

If Jesus were on this earth today, I think He would have been out pounding the streets.  Calling on the elderly, the widows, the sick, the shut-ins, the drug addicts in Rehab, the drunks in jail.

So, I vow from this time on to be a "friend."  If someone legitimately needs me, I will go to them.  Regardless of the time, the inconvenience, the discomfort, I am going to start trying to "be there" for people more.  I want to be that guy that people KNOW they can call, regardless of day or night, and I'll just "LISTEN."  ....  And give out practical advice on the situation, if I have any!

Now don't get me wrong.  In Matthew 7:6, Jesus says, "Cast not your pearls before swine..." 

Paraphrased, I believe what Jesus was trying to say here is that our personal life experiences (the valuable ones that COST you something) are like pearls.   The swine I believe refers to those who are TAKERS (for lack of a better word)... Those who don't appreciate or even CARE what you're doing for them or telling them.  Those who don't appreciate the holy things that are freely given to them from the depths of another person's life!

So, in essence, I guess what I'm trying to point out here is that there ARE instances where God would rather see you SAVE your resources on those that would appreciate it!

If "Bob the Drunk" calls me every weekend from Jail wanting to be bailed out after a DUI, then I think I need to reconsider being at Bob's ever-beckoning call, since he's apparently not learning a lesson, nor getting help for his problem. 

If "Larry the Party Guy" calls me at 2 A.M. on Saturday night and needs help getting his Drugs flushed down the toilet because the Cops are on their way, I may have to reconsider.  I don't think I would consider that a Genuine "NEED."

Disclaimer:  I know NO ONE that I can think of named "Bob and Larry."  Although completely fictional, these names were based loosely on VeggieTales, although, to the best of my knowledge, neither of those two characters are drunks nor addicts.  Come on, man, I had to pick 2 names at RANDOM!

So, I guess my point is, if you're sick and need some help, I'll be there.

If you're depressed and need someone to talk to, I'll be there.

If you're drunk and need a ride, I'll be there (the first couple of times, anyhow!.....hehehehe)

EMOTIONALLY, I'M GOING TO START BEING A TRUE FRIEND.

NOW I JUST HAVE TO FIND SOME!