There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:13-15
And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:9-11
Friends. In a lifetime, a person has many of them. Childhood, Teenage, Young Married, Older Married - which is where I am now. One thing that I have struggled with is being hurt by those who I thought were friends in the past. This influenced my belief that "people can not be trusted".
Over the past 10 years, the Lord has graciously taken me on a journey. It started with my relationship with Him. Although I have been a believer for 26 years, I have only recently come to know Him as my Father, Provider, Protector, Husband, King, Brother and now recently "Friend".
What is interesting is that each time my view of God changes -- so is the view of others. For example: when I understood God as my Daddy my perspective about my own Father changed -- I could see my earthly Father as my Daddy. When my view of God as Husband changed --- then my view of my husband changed.
I have many friends. Some are closer than others. However, recently because my view of God has been focused on Him as my "Friend". I am beginning to really appreciate the blessing of these friends. In the past, I guarded myself from allowing people to be close to me - however, over the years I have been able to open myself up to godly friendships.
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Prov 18:24
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Prov 20:6
The ladies in my life are truly God's blessings & gifts to me! I wanted to take the time in this blog to thank them for the love, compassion, prayer support over the years. My friends have carried me through hard times and have laughed with me through happy ones too. They have held my arms up and cried for me when I wouldn't.
God has been showing me that relationships are important, imperative and influential. All of which, my friends have been to me. Thank each of you for the role you play in my life.
Today, I have a new appreciation for my Friends.
You go, Girlfriend!
