John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
We floated on the backwater river in the Low Country of South Carolina many sunny filled days.
Fishing, laughter, and sharing secrets filled the air as we cast our lines together.
Our friendship ebbed through the years like the flow of the river; deep and wide at times but at other times, separated and choppy. Stress and upheaval threatened to destroy our friendship at one point.
Years later, however, we forgave and began sharing again.
I award the title of “Longest Friendship” to Kelly. Our friendship stretches over three decades. I am so grateful for the love and support she shows me all the time.
My mom once told me that acquaintances come and go in life; but true friends remain. Her words prove true.
I count on one hand my true friends that I can call or email when I need to talk or unload. Most of my true friends I met online through the years of my blogging. Another true friend is only a phone call or Facebook message away. We talk about our lives and give one another solid advice.
I am also grateful that God granted me true friends in family members. My closest and best friend is my husband of 15 years. He stands by me. He listens and loves me with an unflinching love. My sister-in-law is also a great confidant.
Friendship takes commitment. The old adage, “To have true friends, you must be a true friend” rings so true in my life. I must strive to fulfill this adage each day by making myself available, listening, praying, and loving my friends.
C.S. Lewis once said, ““Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”
As we count our blessings this month during the 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge, do you have friends that serve as examples of true love in your life?
I offer this prayer of gratitude today:
Thank you for the sweet memories of laughter, love, and friendship that fill my heart.”
This post continues my special series celebrating, Gratitude. As we approach the Holy Season of Advent, first I fix my mind on thankfulness. Thankfulness is a state of being. It is part of the cross that we deliberately choose to pick up each day as we follow Christ. To celebrate Thankfulness, I have created a Fall Bible study and journey that I invite you to join with me.
As I write this series, I am also joining Jennifer Dukes Lee’s 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge. Her beautiful graphic above lists 30 daily gratitude topics on which I will base each day’s post this month.
Even though the posts will be short, I plan to pack them with inspiration and Scriptural truths as we lead up to the Thanksgiving holidays and then flow into Christmas. This series is my gift to you.
Also contributing to the many of the linkups listed on my parties page. Be sure to check it out for places to linkup your blog posts too.
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