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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Friendship


Today I spent some time with my new friend Teri. She came over to bring us dinner and stayed to visit. It was nice to have the company. In fact, we had such a good time that I made her late to pick up her son from preschool! Tomorrow my friend Shari is coming over to keep me company-- though she has already warned me that she will NOT be bringing dinner! Shari has a passion for fashion-- not cooking! Anyone else out there bored and looking for a place to hang out and pass the time? I would welcome the company!

It has been so great to have friends who express their love in many different ways. Some call or send emails. One sent me an ecard. One showed up yesterday with half of Sam's in her car! (Thanks Luann!) Many have brought meals. Some have brought take-out, some frozen foods, and some have cooked elaborate dinners. What they bring isn't important-- it is a blessing all the same. One is taking on the HUGE task of coordinating meals. (Though I think she has regretted it since agreeing to do it!) Yesterday, my friend Luann knelt in our kitchen and prayed for my healing and strength for our family. My mom was even there to pray with us, which was a blessing. I saw the tears in her eyes and all I could think of is how happy that must make her as a mom to see her child being loved on and cared for by so many.

All of this has caused me to think about what real friendship is.
Proverbs 27:10 says, "Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father."

John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

The note in my Ryrie study Bible for this verse says, "When you are in trouble, you see who your friends are and how helpful a brother can be." I can say that this week I have seen that. I have felt the love of my friends and I know just how much I have needed their help. I could not do this alone. This has been a great lesson to me of what love in action looks like. These same people could talk all day long about what good Christians they are (not that they would)--but it is so much more impactful to see it lived out loud. In this busy day and age, it is hard to make time for friends. It is hard to take action when so many other things demand your attention. And yet, in reading these verses, I see words like "forsake" and "lay down your life" and "adversity." Friendship by God's design is about sacrifice. I have seen that a lot this week and I have learned through the examples of my friends.

And because I can't resist...
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6 comments:

Welcome! said...

I haven't checked in on your delightful blog in a while so was shocked to read about your foot. You have a wonderful attitude that is contagious. Holly in Oregon (Kelly Hubatka's friend)

Debra said...

Im glad to hear you have so many wonderful friends to help you out when you most need it. I love proverbs 17:17-I once wrote that scripture in a card to a dear friend of mine and she told me how much she loved it.

Joyful said...

This is so sweet. What a precious reminder of the importance of friendship. It truly is a gift from the Lord. Praising God for the special circle of friends He has sent to minister to you.
Continuing in prayer,
Joy

Bridget said...

Because I couldn't resist, I listened to the song. What a blessing for me! I can hardly type through the tears...it was like having a lullabye from God. (Granted He sounded a lot like James Taylor.) I'm sorry about your foot. A month ago I thought I was having an operation, and panicked over how everything would get done. It's great to have Godly, caring friends. They keep us sane!
Bridget

Kelly said...

Marybeth,
I am so sorry to hear about your foot. I can so relate. A few years ago I woke up with a painful, swollen ankle. I hadn't sprained it or hadn't had any kind of a twist accident. It was so painful I could hardly walk. When I went to the regular and ortho doctors they determined I had a stress fracture. I had joined Curves months before and think that maybe the exercise/machines did something. I have osteoporosis too and take meds for it, so that is a factor. I had to wear the boot thing that keeps your ankle straight for six weeks and I remember the pain. I remember crying at my desk at work after 3 weeks wondering when the pain would ever leave. But eventually it got better and healed. Yours will too, but right now, I can totally understand how frustrating it is and how much it hurts. My prayers are with you for healing and recovery. It is so hard to go from really active to immobile for sure.
Blessings,
Kelly

Jenni said...

I'm so glad you have such a great support network. It's hard to remember during these times that in blessing you with the help, THEY receive a blessing too...so let it flow, girl!