Sunday, September 16, 2007

Friendship

Lately God has been teaching me about true friendship. In a previous blog I had mentioned that one of my goals as a thirty year old is to love others more deeply. Isn't it funny how sometimes God gently, yet unrelentingly, makes it clear what He wants us to learn. Have you ever had an experience like mine when it seems that everywhere you turn you read about, hear a song about, hear someone speak about, and practically trip over what God is trying to teach you? Well, I have been having that kind of experience concerning the subject of friendship. It all started when I decided to get serious about teaching the kids about the fruit of the spirit. I looked on line and found a great study that had passages to study concerning each fruit. This was an adult study so I figured it would be too detailed for the kids. I decided to do the study on my own and touch on the highlights with them. The study began with the first and most important fruit of the spirit, LOVE. As I began to look up passages I would find myself reading beyond what was asked and I am so happy I did. God used this study to start my mind thinking on friendship and what the word REALLY means. It was then that the process of learning I describe earlier began and believe me it has not been subtle. Two weeks ago our church began a 3 part series on, I bet you can't guess, ...........friendship! It makes me smile just thinking about it. I smile for another reason too! All this thinking and learning about friendship has made me think of many of you, my good friends. I am so thankful for the different flavored friendships I have with all of you. I would list all of you but I am afraid this post might start to sound like a Emmy Award winning thank you speech. So, I just hope you all know how humbled and thankful I am to have each of you in my life.

Oh, and just as a side note, I never did get past the study of LOVE with the kids. This is where my problem with completing a task comes in. I think I smell another refining process coming on. :) Oh well, doesn't the Bible say that God is made strong in our weaknesses?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protect, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Proverbs 17:17a "A friend loves at all times"


5 comments:

Katy said...

Awwww! Great one Anna. You motivated me to dig some on my own. Thank you. LOVE, K

Reshma McClintock said...

Anna you are such a blessing :) Thank you for the scripture and the reminder.Xoxo. R.

Katy said...

Thanks for beeing a true friend to me....esspecialy when I'm emotional and crying the 'ugly' cry! Love.:)

Heather Elizabeth said...

We had such a fun weekend with you guys. And Boston loves your kids. We are still praying for Emmy at breakfast, lunch, dinner, nap, bedtime and occasional car ride. Finally today I said, "Boston we love Emmy. She is so special to our family :-)"

Hey are you going to the game on Wed?

Ginger said...

Thank you for sharing Anna! It seems so tough at this season in our lives to connect with other women. For me, I feel selfish wanting to carve time out in the evenings to go out with friends. And 'play dates' for the kids are not the most conducive atmosphere for deep heart-level sharing, especially when you're interrupted every other minute by someone needing to be 'caught' at the bottom of the slide, another trip to the bathroom, breaking up a scuffle... :) Thanks for sharing your heart!!!