Thankful for my friends…

The Thanksgiving season often forces me into a place of reflecting on my blessings, whether I like it or not. You know, there are seasons in our lives where it is hard to be thankful.  But, scripture tells us to never stop praying and be thankful in all circumstances. Sometimes, it is still difficult.

I wrote a blog a few weeks ago about When one of us suffers, we all suffer. My group of friends, often referred to as “the camping family’,  is still moving through a very tough time. Nothing will ever be the same again, even camping. Yet, in the midst of all this suffering, God’s love continues to rise to the top and bubble over. God amazes me!

Sometimes, I begin to take things, like friends,  that have been around for a long time, for granted. Not even appreciating what I actually have. I think it is odd that in the midst of all this pain and heart ache, my perspective changes. Proverb 17:17 says a friend loves at all times, and Proverbs 27:9 says, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.  As friends, we are clinging together in this time of tragedy. By being together, our souls are somehow refreshed and renewed. We recognize the love we have between each other. Something we may have even forgotten.

Galatians 6:2 ESV commands us, ” Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ”  We are called to share in times of trouble. By standing together, we somehow strengthen each other and mysteriously, we find the will the go on. But how does being there, fulfill the law of Christ?

In Luke 10:25-27 NIV, we read

 “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.

“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

 He answered,

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your strength

and with all your mind;

and,

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly.”

When we love our friends and neighbors as ourselves, we are fulfilling the law of Christ. By choosing to participate,  standing in the gap of pain and grief, we bear one another’s burdens. Sharing in that load, no matter how heavy it is, we lighten their load and somehow enact God’s love here on Earth.  Thus fulfilling the law.

God’s love is at work all the time. We cannot understand His ways. Yet, just by loving a friend or being with them in their time of need, we are actually fulfilling the law. God is at work in each and everyone of us. God’s love transcends anything we could ever imagine. And will shine through even in our darkest hours. God is always with us, always working, always loving on us, often through us. 

So whether you are the friend who goes or the friend who receives, God’s love is there with you.

Friends, I am thankful for you. I’m not sure I could get through this life without you. We need each other. Today, I want to encourage you to be thankful in all circumstances. Thank a friend for being a friend. Send a note, make a phone call, forward this email and let someone know how thankful you are for them today. And thank God for allowing us to participate in spreading His awesome love throughout our lives. Thank God for your friends.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, thank you that even when it is hard to pray, you are still here with us. Thank you that You bring people alongside us to walk this path of life. Thank you for your never ending love, mercy and grace that you give to us every day. Continue to draw us into You. Help us to recognize that we need You in our lives. You are the love that makes all things complete. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M