One friend may offer us affection, another may stimulate our minds, another may strengthen our souls. The more able we are to receive the different gifts our friends have to give us, the more able we will be to offer our own unique but limited gifts. Thus, friendships create a beautiful tapestry of love.
For further reflection...
"Gold leaf was hammered out and cut into threads to work into the blue, purple, and crimson yarns and into the fine twisted linen, in skilled design." - Exodus 39: 3 (NRSV)
This devotional was written by Henri Nouwen.
You can find his site here: www.henrinouwen.org