Winter 1989
Friendliness
Corinne Pollak

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" Proverbs 18:24.

It had been a very busy day. Quite tired, I put up the closed sign and locked the door. My husband, Richard, and I had just finished cleaning up our restaurant and were getting ready to relax when a knock came at the door.

I opened the door to find a good friend, Vincent Fisher, standing there in his favorite pair of dungarees and cowboy hat, with a big smile. His hand was extended and in it, wrapped in a moist paper towel, were four beautiful roses; one tightly closed bud, a larger bud that was just beginning to open and two fully bloomed pink roses.

This act of friendliness was one of many exchanges between us over the years. These four roses brought to mind how our friendship had started a number of years before. It was a beautiful summer Saturday morning, when Vincent and Natalie walked into our Country Kitchen restaurant. I greeted them with a smile and a hearty "Good Morning." During the conversation that followed, I found that three years before, they had purchased a country home a short distance from us.

This first visit was the result of their running out of coffee at home. In the years following, I came to know that the very first thing to be brought to their table was two cups of hot, freshly brewed coffee. Over the years I have served many cups of coffee to them, their family, and friends.

These four roses from Vincent were a symbol of the friendship that had been brought about by a simple act of friendliness on my part, years before. Like the rose bud that was just beginning to open in response to the warm rays of sunshine, we can help others grow with our acts of friendliness. Often our being friendly will lead to an opportunity for us to witness to them about salvation, or to simply express the fact that they are loved by the Lord. The warmth of our friendliness will cause their lives to begin opening to receive life and light from the "Son".

Some acts of friendliness are short and sweet. These may be directed to those whom we will never encounter again. But the act itself will be long remembered by them. Like the two roses that were in full bloom, a short impulsive act of friendliness will immediately find its mark and warm the heart of another in a way that might not have happened. The fragrance of that act will then spark friendliness in them towards another. Many have returned and related a friendly gesture that I had forgotten.

Likened to the tightly wrapped rosebud, which was cut too soon and too short, are those who need a simple expression of friendliness to start them on the right path. Let them see the results of the Lord's love that had been extended to you and culminated in your salvation. Show a friendly interest in them and be careful not to cut them short. Just as this bud, they need more time to take in the "Son" shine of your friendliness, before being cut off.

There is no cost to your being friendly, except a little of your time. Yet when given to another, it becomes very valuable. Try it and discover that being friendly will explode into many warm and wonderful experiences, and produce a rich reward in the lives of those to whom it is given.

Friendliness has no barriers. It makes no difference if you are a man or woman, young or old, rich or poor. Whether we live in the city, or in a small country town, none of these things are important. It is truly wonderful that each one of us is capable of expressing friendliness as an extension of God's love, in whatever situation or place we may find ourselves in. Each act of our being friendly will become yet another rose of a different color and fragrance within the Lord's garden.

Friendliness is both given and received with the heart. It is not necessarily seen with our eyes or felt by touch. One who is blind and has no feeling in their hands can feel the love of a friendly comment. Friendliness will uplift both giver and receiver. It is redeeming, kind and healing. Also, it is soothing, trusting and understanding.

Friendliness is a reflection of God's love towards us. As the rose whose pedals open softly into the air, God's love is presented to those watching, waiting, and listening for the happening. The fragrance of a rose is as a beckoning for us to come and enjoy its scent and beauty. FRIENDLINESS is an offering of Gods love, freely given, not expecting anything in return. Take time to be friendly while working, walking, eating in a restaurant, or where ever you may be.

Try it, you will like being friendly. I promise you will not be disappointed. Remember, God loves you, and so do I.