My closest friends know how much I love the verse Proverbs 17:17, which reads: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” I have been praying alot lately in regards to if I truly love my friends at all times? Do you? Even through the tough times? Frustrations? Disagreements? Different beliefs? It’s easy when all is terrific, but it’s difficult at other times, isn’t it? Regardless of what’s going on, I want to so badly share His love with all of my friends. I’ve been challenged with this recently. How do you respond when a friend claims to be a Christian, yet most of their actions say otherwise? Or those that want to be Christ-like, but they aren’t going to church, aren’t digging into scripture, and definitely aren’t trying to live scripturally? Do you communicate in love with those friends? Or do you let ‘it’ slide and pretend everything is “okay,” even though it’s not? I strive to follow Ephesians 4:2-3 by being “ completely humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love. I pray that I make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Boy oh boy, walking the walk and talking the talk isn’t always easy! Being a child of His is probably the most difficult life task at times. Yes, we are called to love each other, to forgive one another, to hold each other accountable...and the list goes on.
Some of us are separated by distance now, or are married, or have kids, or are drowning in work (or all of the above), and we don’t talk/see each other as much as we’d like. How cool is it to catch up right where we left off the times we can visit, talk on the phone, or exchange emails? I don’t say it enough, but thank you to those of you, who have been honest with me, no matter what. Thank you for being there. Thank you for the memories of laughter and awesome fellowship. Thanks for the listening ear or shoulder to cry on. I am so blessed! I thank God every day for placing you in my life, whether it be for a reason, season, or lifetime. " ... A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9b (MSG) I do pray that I continue to be the friend God calls me to be and that our friendship brings Him glory. Oh how I cherish each and every one of you! Praising Him for placing you in our lives! What a blessing you are to both Carter and me!!!
