Friendship

Friendship is a word that encompasses a lot of things...probably different things for different people. Friendship is a very important word to me. I was having a conversation the other day with someone saying that they don't keep in touch with any of the bridesmaids that they had in their wedding. I was shocked! I had seven bridesmaids in my wedding over 15 years ago and I keep in touch with every single one of them. It may not be every day or every week, but on a regular basis we all keep in touch via email and some phone with the out of town people and I get together with the local ones.

I've also added to those friends over the years. I have friends from different stages in my life. I have friends I grew up with, friends from high school, college, church, ministry and work. I'm blessed by God to have a lot of friends. Some friends are closer than others, but I'm grateful for all of my friends. I've even had friends that weren't the best influence on me. Those friends I eventually had to separate from in order to become the woman God wants me to be, but I'm still appreciative of the things that I learned through those friends as it drew me closer in my walk with the Lord.

My prayer is that I'm a good friend. They have all certainly been good friends to me through all of the things that we journey through in life. I'm grateful that we've journeyed through them together. I'm a people person...an extrovert...I have a problem doing ANYTHING alone! I certainly couldn't have handled life's challenges and changes alone. God knows just what we need and at the right time. I love Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 which says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" That reminds me that I need to befriend the friendless too...ouch - I don't like for my toes to get stepped on like that!

I can truly say that my husband is my best and closest earthly friend who shows me unconditional love every day. He supports me, prays for me, listens to me, encourages me and most of all...has put up with me and my dysfunctional self for over 15 years! He deserves a medal on earth and an incredibly large, ornate and beautiful crown in heaven one day! Those of you that know me can insert a hearty *AMEN* here.

The book of Proverbs talks about the ultimate friend...a friend that sticks closer than a brother - His name is Jesus. He's a friend that is safe; He will never let you down or wound you. I wonder if I'm a good friend to Him. I'm challenged today as I post about friendship to be a better friend...keep in touch better, speak more constructively, enter into intercession on their behalf more often, encourage more, but I'm also challenged to be a better friend to the ultimate friend. I need to talk to Him more and do that constructively as well. He longs to meet with me so that I can get to know Him more intimately. Just the fact that He wants to spend time with me is hard to comprehend...but He loves me so much that He sacrificed His life so that I can spend eternity with him. That should motivate and inspire me to be the best friend that I can be...to people here on earth and to my ultimate friend in Heaven!