Today is National Best Friends Day! We can all learn how to be a better friend.

Here are 9 Ways to be a Great Friend, from thehopeline.com

1. Be real. People are turned off by those who are constantly trying to be someone they are not. We are most comfortable around others who are comfortable in their own skin. So just be yourself. Even though you aren’t perfect, the way you handle your strengths and faults with humility and confidence will give other people permission to be real and relaxed with you, as well. Real friends are relaxed around each other.
2. Be honest. Keep your promises and do what you say you’re going to do. Be reliable. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who lies. And lies always have a way of coming to the light. Also, friends will say the truth to one another, even when it’s hard. The wisest man in the Bible, King Solomon, said: Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Shannon got caught up in an eating disorder until her friend called her out: I was addicted to being skinny and looking absolutely perfect. I never really understood what I was actually doing to myself until a good friend of mine talked to me about it.
3. Take an interest in the details of your friend’s life by being a good listener. Don’t watch television or text while your friend is sharing something with you. Most times people need more than good advice, they need someone to listen to them as they talk through their feelings. Ask them what’s going on in their life and how they feel. Mari commented: Kyler is my best friend because he listens. No matter what is going on he is genuinely interested in how I am. He always has my back and would drop everything if I needed him.
4. Make time for your friend. Time is one of the greatest gifts we possess. When we share extra time with a friend, we are giving back to them that gift. No friendship can develop overnight. It takes time. A real friend will take that time.
5. Keep their secrets. Prove yourself to be a trustworthy person who will guard their secrets with your life. A good way to prove you are trustworthy is to be free to share some of your own secrets with your friend. King Solomon also said:  Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Are you willing to be a friend like that?
6. Encourage your friend. Everyone needs encouragement. Find specific ways to encourage your friend. Even in the depths of their struggles, show them what you see to be special about them and be willing to pick them up when they are depressed or feel like life is pressing in on them from all sides.
7. Be loyal to your friend. This is unconditional acceptance, even when your friend makes a mistake or really screws up. Be there when they are experiencing their highest highs and their lowest lows. Laugh with them, cry with them, don’t just talk about always being there. Prove it in your everyday life! Delaney wrote to me and said: I have great friends who are always there for me and always know how to make me happy.
8. Be willing to work through conflict. Every relationship will hit a speed bump at one time or another. Show your friend you are willing to work through the difficult times of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Sometimes friendships grow stronger through the difficult times. Don’t give up on your friend just because you are having difficulties.
9. Watch out for your friend. When you see your friend getting into a dangerous situation whether it’s with drugs or alcohol, or maybe even a destructive relationship, be bold enough to step in and protect your friend from the harm you see coming their way. Narda commented: My best friend is more than a best friend, she’s more like a sister. And she feels that same way. We both have each other back, now and forever.

Summer has officially started, even though it may not feel like it!

iMom.com has given us some amazing ideas for how to keep your kids happy and entertained during this summer.

Here are some ideas!

1. Create a Summer Bucket list for your family! What are 10 things that your family absolutely have to do this summer? Make a list of them, and check them off as the summer continues!
2. Create a summer schedule! Each day of the week has a specific topic, and use the calendar to get creative with your kids while also keeping them occupied!
3. Road trip games are always a great way to keep your family engaged and connected during a long ride in the car. See a list of great ideas here!
4. Let your kids explore! Get them outside in nature, and let them be hands on! See ideas here!

See the entire list of 60 ideas here!

Today is a day where we celebrate being nice to one another, how appropriate for the time we are living in!

Say Something Nice Day began in Charleston, South Carolina, when the Mayors of North Charleston and Charleston came together with members of the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery and the South Carolina Baptist Convention to create a day to be kind to the special people in our lives, like our children.

It’s also a day to remember and celebrate people who provide us with a variety of services, such as bus drivers, healthcare workers, and teachers. And, it’s a great opportunity to apologize to people that we might have wronged or hurt through our behavior. The aim of this special day is to fight against unkindness, bullying, and the lack of politeness that dominates society today. The creators hope that this one day of pleasantness will grow until people are nice to each other every day.

Set an example and encourage your children to be nice to each other on this day.

It’s as simple as complimenting a co-worker, forgiving someone who wronged you, or choosing to react with grace instead of anger.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

Here is a complete list of Bible verse that all have to do with kindness.