Friendship

I've been thinking a lot the last few days about friendship.  I had a long visit with a friend just "catching up."  We covered the world in our chat!  It was so good to talk together.

I also celebrated the birthday of a dear friend - someone I've known for close to 40 years.  That makes us both sound old. :)  But what a gift the friend has been through all those years.

And I've thought of friends all over the world - long time friends, new friends, close friends, and friends I'm just getting to know.  Each friend is a sweet, precious gift to me.  

I also have a lot of "prayer friends."  So many have prayed for me and for our family these last years as we went through some really difficult times.  I don't know each one of them personally, but I'm very grateful to them - and I don't think I'd have made it without their loving, faithful prayers!  Each one is definitely a gift to me!

I spoke once on the "Gift of People."  We are truly a gift to each other from the Lord!  God puts us in each other's lives to support and strengthen each other.  I am so grateful for each friend, known and unknown, in my life - for the love, prayers, encouragement, support......every one of them is such a beautiful gift to me!!

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  Proverbs 17:17

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."  Proverbs 27:9

"Encourage one another and build each other up."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."  Ecclesiastes 4:10

There are so many beautiful verses about friendship.  We are created to love and help one another.  Take a moment to think of the friends God has given you.  And thank Him!  

And over and above it all - I'm so grateful for the precious friendship of the Lord!!  He is my everything.