What is LOYALTY?

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

One of the most telling of characteristics I possess is loyalty.  This allegiance and devotion is best described by my friends as my blessing and my curse.  A blessing because I and my tribe of friends have rejoiced, wept, and prayed for one another in the most challenging of times. While simultaneously, I have experienced abuse of my faithfulness to them; I have been taken for granted and ignored.  So, let’s look at what loyalty truly is!

Loyalty, allegiance, fidelity all imply a sense of duty or of committed attachment to something or someone. Loyalty connotes sentiment and the feeling of admiration that one holds for one’s country, creed, family, friends, etc.

Personally, loyalty is important.  My presence in the lives of those I care about assures them that they are seen and heard.  Isn’t that what we all want – to be seen and heard?

In the end this loyalty is the outcome, the tangible result of my love for my friend.  And “a friend loves at all times”.  A friend loves at all times, no matter what happens.  I have observed my friendships shift in the best and worst of times. Through thick and thin, a friend will be there for you.  Above all, a friend is loyal.

A loyal friend will not betray you or undermine your worth in their lives.  A loyal friend will never speak untruths against you, because a friend loves at all times.

When I lost my job back in 2010, I went through my severance and savings. My friends offered their help and sent money, bought groceries, helped make job contacts.  My friends love me at all times.

If you get a serious illness, your friend will be there.  If your marriage suffers from neglect, your friend will be there.  If your loved one dies, your friend will be there.  In fact, your friend will call you, reach out to you and spend time with you, because your friend loves you.

At the times when I grew overly arrogant about my achievements and took God for granted, my dear friends have rallied around me, mercifully confronted me, and graciously challenged me. Because my friends love me at all times.

At various times, my friends have experienced wonderful things happen in their lives.  One friend achieved her dream job.  One friend was healed from cancer.  One friend got married and gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby after miscarrying her first child. At each and every one of those occasions we all happily celebrated – genuinely, authentically and deeply.  My friends love one another at all times.

If you are feeling hopeless, hurting, and simply need someone who will listen to you…hear you out without judgment and criticism no matter what time it is, I pray you have a friend in whom you can rely. Choose a friend who loves you at all times.

This kind of friend, a loyal friend is a friend who loves at all times.  This type of friend is a beautiful gift from God. 

Ask yourself:  Do I have friends like this?

The better question is: Am I a friend like this?

…now what, Linda