Surround Yourself with Those Who You Can Call FRIEND

Looking up at the tree tops, I lay on my back swinging with Chase laying on my tummy.  The back yard is cool with the shade of the old trees that rise above my home, their branches dancing about with the wind tickling each leaf...  The kids and I retreated to the backyard since the air conditioner decided it was too tired to run anymore.  Before leaving the inside of our stuffy house I left a quick status update on the social internet highway.  Quickly, I received invites from friends to come to their home and cool off...

It may have taken many years to realize what true friends are, what they are to me and what I am to them; what I need to be to them and how I need them to be for me.

We have all seen those catchy emails about having different friends for different seasons and reasons.  It is true.  God puts friends in our lives at the right time that we need them.  We may not even realize it until they have been pulled from our lives to serve as a friend to someone else in need.

I had a very dark time in my life when my spouse passed away.  Little did I know that the Lord had friends that were building deep bonds with me months before the death took place.  Those friends were the ones that held me up and dried my tears while filling my soul with laughter and love.  They remained near by all they way through the time that I meet my current husband.  They held my hand and encouraged me to take the steps to my own happiness.  Shortly after delivering me to my new life, they left to pursue further dreams of their own. Though they are thousands of miles from me, they could not be any closer to my heart.  Blessed to say the least.

Some friends seem to be going through things that you have and you are able to listen and guide them through difficult times.  Other friends have done this for you as well.  Amazingly He puts everyone in place to make sure that you are comforted and reassured that you can make it through those tough times.

Of course, unexpected friends are great too.  It could be someone that your children play with their children, participate in sports with, scouts or homeschool activities.  A lot of the time you think that these women seem nice.  However, you don't foresee the opportunities that could lie in friendships with them but you count your blessings when little things happen to remind you how wonderful it is when they are there.  You begin to learn that this are extraordinary women lying in the bodies of ordinary mothers.  They amaze you in the everyday things.

Then there are those friends that you never seem to forget about.  They leave a permanent impression on your heart.  They began as your childhood buddy or maybe a high school pal.  You grew up together sharing tea parties and talking about boys with.  Your families moved away from another but you held fast to write letters to one another.  Twist of faith and you loose touched.  You never stop thinking about them; caring about them.  Then by the Grace of God, you find one another against all the odds.  Not only do you pick up where you left off, it is better than ever.

In my life, I have a variety of friends that bless me with their friendship, no two are alike.  I can't imagine life without each and every one.  The spots that they hold in my heart is priceless.

"Most people come into our lives and quickly leave. It is the special few that come in and leave a footprint in our hearts. and we are forever changed."



"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

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