Lunch With a Friend

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend, and felt like you had to put reserves or restrictions on what was said out of fear of what the other may think? I know that I have many times ... But that is just because of my huge fear of rejection. But this past weekend, I had lunch with a friend who has taken our friendship on a roller coaster ride of emotions to say the least. We have had our highs and have had more than our share of lows. It had been about 3 years since I had actually sat down and had a conversation with this person. We have stayed in contact through emails, letters, cards, phone calls, etc .. But we had never really talked face to face until the other day. I thought about the restrictions and reservations I would have to put on our conversation .. I didn't want to bring something up from the past and open old wounds, BUT what an amazing God we serve! He reminded me that if this person was a true friend and I was a true friend back, then it didn't matter what was said between us, because true friends love unconditionally with out reservations or restrictions. So over lunch, we talked about the past. I talked about how she had hurt me and she talked about how I had hurt her. Tears were shared, hugs were given, and we left each other wishing we would have said those things so many years ago. So my words of wisdom today are: Don't wait to say something that you really need to say to another. Tomorrow may never come, friendships and relationship may be lost forever, and you'll never get the chance to make things right again. You never know what the outcome will be if you are too afraid to speak up and say something first. Because if a person truly loves you unconditionally with out reserves or restrictions, then it doesn't matter what you say .. If they judge you by the words you use, the language of your body, the tone of your voice, or the subjects you bring up .. They they do not love and understand you enough to know that you were not doing it to hurt the relationship, you were doing it to help. So keep that in mind the next time you feel like you need to put reserves or restrictions on a conversation you are having with friends, family, co-workers, etc.