Excellent Harmonies

While traveling in Europe a friend sent me this. Emblazoned on a shirt, it's both funny and troubling. 
I know why she passed this on to me. I love to be right! It seems to be a hill I climb frequently, regardless of what it takes to get to the top. This part of me can be helpful, as in trying to figure out what to do- I can tell you! Seriously ,it's very dangerous because the know-it-all in me can forget what my behavior is doing to the one whose receiving my wisdom. 
I don't know everything, but the trouble comes when I begin operating like I do.  
Which brings me to my post today; How does this work in Friendships?

 When I was young and lamenting my loneliness, my mom would say; "to have a friend, you must be a friend." At the time, I just wanted someone to call me to come over and play! 

 But there's a bigger question here. Desiring friendship requires something from me. If I'm looking to "get something", be entertained, or tell someone what they need to do, I might be disappointed in my friend's response. 

They might feel judged, used or exhausted by all my suggestions. 
Their lack of enthusiasm in our relationship might lead me to judge their response by filling in the blanks with my own answers.

Here's what I am asking.
 Can I be a good friend if I'm assuming how someone is feeling and why they are responding to me in a certain way?

 Choosing to respond with my intuitions instead of actually risking finding out can leave both of us hurt and confused.

 Why do I fear loving freely when I have the One who loves me perfectly as my teacher?

Could this struggle to forget what I think and actually act with my best self be the first step in allowing God to weave His Spirit into my weak attempts? 

Summing it all up, friends. I'd say you"ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

 How about choosing instead to think on the true and best of one another which might lead us in a new way of being friends?

 This will not be a perfect experience, we will fail frequently, yet we trust that learning these intricate rhythms in friendship is all part of the symphony being created.

Friendship-growing like music-making takes practice. There will be many sour notes along the way, but with each mistake we're training our hearts to be open to the possibilities of a rich and colorful composition. 
Thankfully God knows the score by heart. He patiently allows us to practice until we can begin to hear the beautiful harmonies we've created together. 
Knowing the Composer is the reason why this composition will become a classic. 

Sounds like music to my ears!