The Pleasantness of One's Friend...

This morning I worked out with a friend of mine who is so encouraging. She is real, authentic, vulnerable, and encouraging. I never walk away from talking with her discouraged even when she calls me out in my sin and keeps me accountable. She's a true friend.

And then some friends and I went out for coffee and a little shopping trip today for an early birthday celebration. I just love these gals... and so many other friends I've been blessed with. I was realizing, as we talked, that we truly have something special.

Unity in Christ.

The conversation focused for a long time on people who seemed so sold out for Christ. Really solid believers... but then something happened in their lives. Too much time away from home, a generational sin that finally caught up with and overwhelmed them, little tiny compromises that lead to one disastrous consequence. Most of the ones we talked about lead to permanently broken families. All most likely a result of selfishness, casual negligence, and lack of time at home and in the Word.

But the difference between my dear friends and the voices I hear so often in the world is that each one of them made some point about how it could so easily become them... It could be any one of us someday. Instead of condemning, there was genuine sadness, grief and mourning over the broken families and and fatherless children... and there was this really profound realization that if we want to avoid the same sort of problems in our own lives we will need to be acutely aware of the sneaky schemes of the Devil.

My sweet friends (and I) have been on the brink of disaster, have almost given in to temptation, frustration, bad advice, and apathy. But having the encouragement of fellowship with each other has been so encouraging. It's kept us from swerving off the path.

In my own life they have been a source of reliable advice and wisdom. And although I know I should always turn to the Lord for my needs, desires, affirmations, and advice, and I do (try), I most definitely can depend that these and others in my life will be willing to speak the truth as they seek the Lord as well.

We work on being unified.

Not aiming to compete with each other.

Not comparing our weaknesses.

Trying to lovingly and sacrificially forgive each other.

I SO appreciate having friends like this. They are a true gift from God.

-Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17


-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.  Colossians 3:12-14

 
-Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:17


-Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

-Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

-Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

I think this last verse is one of the sweetest descriptions of them:

They don't complain.
They don't gossip.
They genuinely care for families, marriages, and individual's personal walks with the Lord.

How much I've learned for these gals! I don't deserve such unified, loyal, thoughtful, godly friends. I'm truly blessed.

Thanks friends... your gifts were really fun, but the most precious gifts I've received (even more than the ninja cookie cutters) from you are the day in day out counsel and wisdom that you share with me as we live our lives together. 

I truly love you!