My Friends…My Files
Today I finished up my Bible Study “The Power of a Praying Wife” with my friends. I have met with these dear ones for the past ten weeks, working out God’s Word in our hearts together. I feel sad that it is over. Life now days is so fast…without a pre-set time in my schedule, “hanging out” just doesn’t seem to happen. Yet I know that I need this in my life; I must make time for friendships. I need friends to remind me of how I should respond to my husband, how to love my children and why I need to daily be in the presence of God. They point out to me the lies that the enemy is whispering to me when I tell them some of the “wierd” thoughts I struggle with. They laugh and say “Oh, Lynn!” and then get on their knees and pray for me.
I have had so many different seasons in my life: toddlerhood, homeschooling, character ed teaching in public school, and now post-menopause (that’s right…at 40 years old I AM DONE!!! YEAH!). During this time, I have sought out and the Lord has helped me to find many friends along the way. I call these precious people “My files” – think fingernail file. You know how a file can take a jagged edge and smooth it out, making it look lovely? Proverbs 27:17 says “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” These friends have sharpened me – they have helped to make me who I am. They don’t pat me on my back when I need a swift kick in the backside, but they do pick me up when I am down. If you have these friends, don’t take them for granted. Love on them, invest in them, keep them on your short list of important things in your life.
If you haven’t found any yet, pray and ask the Lord to bring them into your life. Who knows? Maybe you can meet some here by posting on my blog. If you read a comment from someone you might like to know, email them back. Remember the days of pen-pals? I remember in third grade doing some type of exchange and getting the name of a girl in Pennsylvania. It was so cool. So give it a try! Post a comment, read others and just maybe you will meet your new best friend!
Lynnie our friendship spans over almost 3 decades! AND there has not been a day or a week that I have not thanked God for you in my life.
3 decades lets see it spans from the laughter of middle school, the reality of graduating, the real life of young love and marriage- the birth of our beautiful children- and now it cycling again through our daughters.
What you have been to me this past year is something I can not put into words. My accountability partner, my friend, my confidant and my cheerleader – you have gone beyond the word friend.
Thank you Lynnie for all you have done — God will bless you for you have blessed many.
Lynn,
I am so thankful for your friendship. Even though we don’t get to talk very often – I know you are there. You are a true inspiration to me. I love you.
Proverbs 18:24:
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Your sister, Janet
Lynn,
I am so thankful for you and the friend you have been to me these past few years. It has been such a blessing to be in a bible study with you; under your guidance. I am always encouraged by your walk with the Lord and I love the honesty you bring when we all come together. I am going to miss our group but am excited about the new things God is bringing into our lives. Thank you for being such a dear friend – one that truly reflects Christ!
I love you –
Janet