I must say that I have been blessed with some pretty amazing women that I consider my close girl friends and best friends. These are the girl friends that listen to your worries, advise even if you don't ask, allow you to be an individual, but stand by you as a team member in life. I love my girlfriends because each one of them brings something different to the table, yet all encourage and build me up. In return, it is my goal as a friend to do the same for them.
Friendships are unique in the fact that some build over time and some are instantaneously. It's as if God brings certain friendships in at specific times and for specific reasons. (I know I have discussed this in a previous blog so I won't go into detail.) I love the fact that some of my best friends have been my friends since childhood, college, early career, and professional. No matter what the situation, I have someone to call for advice and encouragement which is what friendships are all about. Each of my friends bring something different to the table of life and how I love the zest for life they each possess.
"But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend." -Psalm 55:13
"My equal, my companion, my familiar friend" Love this line!!!! Equal, we are not engaged in jealousy or competitiveness. My companion, you stand by one another through the good and the bad. My familiar, that's why we go to our friends because of the familiarity. I especially like the story of David and Ittai in 2 Samuel 15. David did not expect anything from Ittai and saw that true friendship was unconditional and embodied respect from one another. Ittai was a servant, but David viewed him as an equal. If we view our friends and those we come in contact with as equals and companions, there will be no threat of competitiveness. With competitiveness builds jealousy and jealousy comes negativity. But back to the positive, we are all equals at the holy gates of God's kingdom and should practice this here on Earth.
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:8-10
Love is the key to friendships and to life in general. Faith... Patience... Love. This week has been such a joyous week that reminded me how beautiful friendships are. Whether it was singing and dancing in the living room to 1990's jams, the lunch invite, overdue text just to say hello, and then a phone call that a friend of mine has set her wedding day; friendships (and faith) are the key to happiness in our soul. All throughout the Bible friendships are discussed, and those friendships teach us about the love between friends. Showing hospitality to each other without grumbling. Sometimes we might not have time to talk about a friends problems, but we know that friend may need us to pick up the phone to listen. After all, you just might be the gift at that moment that your friend needs. Pay it forward----->
This week I challenge everyone to reach out to a friend that you may not have talked to in awhile, or send your "besties" a message reminding them of just how truly beautiful they are. We only get one chance at this life here on Earth so do you part to spread love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness to others. Oh yeah, fun and laughter are nice benefits too! Be the breath of fresh air for those individuals in your life.
And to all my friends, besties, and blog readers, thank you for the daily impacts you make in my life. Love to you all! Have a wonderful week!