Stupid

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"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them" -Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is one of those great quotes about friendship! But I've always read this and substituted for "stupid" words like silly, obnoxious, ridiculous, goofy. And while all those things are true, the actual saying itself is also so true.

With a good friend you can be stupid.

We're never stupid intentionally.
And when we are we typically feel, well, stupid: like "I can't believe I just said that maybe I can crawl under the table now".

Do you have friends like that?
Who look at you with that quizzical, "Did you just say/do that?" look and at your agreement then smile and all is forgiven?

I think this is some of the thought behind the Matthew 5 directions for if you've been offended by someone, that you go to them and tell them their offense and seek to be reconciled.

Sometimes we don't even realize how we have been offensive.
I've had this conversation with several friends that when (because no matter that I think I won't, I will) I say or do something to you that is hurtful, please come tell me and let me make it right. How many friendships are thrown away because someone is hurt by something someone said or did that they never realized they'd done? Because someone was stupid?

So not only do you have friends with whom you can be stupid but are you a friend that someone else can be stupid with and you handle it appropriately?

Both having and being that kind of friend is indeed a blessing!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Great post Bec, as always. I love the quote and agree wholeheartedly.I always look forward to your posts. It's like a small devotional that makes me see things a little clearer. Thank you for sharing.
February 22, 2009 at 10:03 PM
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