Don't Wait for Eulogies

I love to send birthday and anniversary greetings to friends.  As I send each greeting, it gives me a chance to bring back memories of times together and to pray blessings for each one.  It only takes a few minutes of the day, but it keeps friends from years gone by in my heart.

I have a special "birthday book" where I keep a list of all the dates.  I was looking through my August list as we start this new month, and I got a lump in my throat.  So very many of the friends in my book have passed on to be with Jesus.  I know they're in a better place, but I sure do miss them!  Friends, relatives, co-workers - so many are gone.

It reminded me of how important it is to make the most of each day - the most of each time with the people in our lives.  I've lived a wonderful full life!  I don't have a lot of regrets, but I do have a few.  One of them is that in the busyness of our life in ministry, I wish I'd taken more time for fun and being with people.  We did that for sure - but we could have done more.

People are such a precious gift in our lives.  I treasure each friendship, each relationship.  I thank the Lord for the richness of people that He brought into our lives.  I started making a mental list of them, and I had to stop.  It was taking forever. :)  So very many wonderful people.

When Floyd was in the hospital for 5+ years, I heard from sooo many people whose lives we had crossed paths with over our 54 years of married life.  What a treasure that was.  I read each message to Floyd, and talked about memories of times together.  It made me think how we should all do that BEFORE people die - instead of waiting to eulogize them after they're gone.  It was so encouraging.

"Keep encouraging each other and building each other up."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Iron sharpens iron.  As one person sharpens another, friends shape each other."  Proverbs 27:17

"Two people are better than one.  They get more work done.  If one falls down, the other helps him up."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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

I'm so very grateful for all the people God brought into our lives through the years - even the hard ones!  Each one enriched our lives in special ways.

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.