For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)
It was an ordenary homecoming service. Little did I know that at lunch, God would bring a lady in my path that needed a friend and a compassionate ear. For you see, this lady and I have known one another for several months from singing in the choir together. Normally, all we would do would be speak casually and go on our way. Not this time though. This time, God had another plan. This time, His plan was for a sweet relationship to develop and get stronger and stronger in just one week. Ladies, has God ever just totally surprised you with His plan? You would've never thought that this would be His way. I know I didn't. And I don't think my friend did either. Let me just encourage you, if you sense God telling you to reach out to someone, go for it. You never know what beautiful thing will come from it.
Dear Lord, I thank You for the new friendship you're developing. I ask that for each of my readers You make Your plan so clear she won't be able to deny it. Lord we love You and praise You. Amen.
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Mentors...What a Gift
the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— (Titus 2:3, NKJV)
I've had several women in my life as mentors. They've stepped in at just the time I've needed a spiritual "mom". One such lady stepped in just over 3 years ago. She stepped in when she received my first devotional in her email. Vonda Skelton was the first one that ever said to me "you're gifted to do this, pursue it." Many have stepped in behind her, but Vonda was the first writing mentor in my life and I will always be greatful She not only said I had the gift of writing but she also came along side me to help teach me the craft. You see, God doesn't call us to do life alone. Just as he doesn't call us to do life alone, He doesn't call us to take on a new adventure alone. Do you have the joy of having a mentor? Do you have someone to come along side you to say "you're gifted for this job, let me show you how it's done?" Now that I'm farther along in the journey, yes, Vonda steps in and helps but she also lets me do things on my own. She knows the time of holding my hand for each step is over. It's time for me to take the steps on my own. Ladies, let me encourage you, find a mentor to show you the way things are done.
Father, thank You for the mentor relationship and ultimate friendship that Vonda and I share. I pray for my readers that You'llprovide them with the mentor they need for their new tasks in life. Thank You Lord. We love You and we praise You. Amen
I've had several women in my life as mentors. They've stepped in at just the time I've needed a spiritual "mom". One such lady stepped in just over 3 years ago. She stepped in when she received my first devotional in her email. Vonda Skelton was the first one that ever said to me "you're gifted to do this, pursue it." Many have stepped in behind her, but Vonda was the first writing mentor in my life and I will always be greatful She not only said I had the gift of writing but she also came along side me to help teach me the craft. You see, God doesn't call us to do life alone. Just as he doesn't call us to do life alone, He doesn't call us to take on a new adventure alone. Do you have the joy of having a mentor? Do you have someone to come along side you to say "you're gifted for this job, let me show you how it's done?" Now that I'm farther along in the journey, yes, Vonda steps in and helps but she also lets me do things on my own. She knows the time of holding my hand for each step is over. It's time for me to take the steps on my own. Ladies, let me encourage you, find a mentor to show you the way things are done.
Father, thank You for the mentor relationship and ultimate friendship that Vonda and I share. I pray for my readers that You'llprovide them with the mentor they need for their new tasks in life. Thank You Lord. We love You and we praise You. Amen
Sunday, May 6, 2012
What a Friend!
A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, New King James Version)
Walking into the house on that October afternoon, I had no idea what to expect. I was walking into a place of unknown territory. I was nervous and afraid all at the same time. Those feelings fled however when one lady that I didn't know walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me. That lady was Edie Melson. She hugged me and told me how glad they were to have me as part of the group. The next thing she said really broke the ice. She told me that she was reminded by a dear friend to be sure she took really good care of me while there. Since that first encounter, Edie and I have become extremely close. While the 2 of us are really good friends, there's an even greater friend that we have in common. His name is Jesus. If not for Him our friendship would be nothing.He reminds us in this verse that He sticks closer than a brother. While I know Edie would do anything she could for me, I also know that her friendship can't bring eternal peace. It can't bring me salvation. Only one person can bring that peace that we have for all of eternity. Once again ladies, that's Jesus. While you may have close friends here on Earth, do you have a relationship with the closest friend you'll ever have? Once you have that relationship, your earthly friendship will be all the more sweeter. I can promise you that!
Dear Lord, thank You for the friends you've so blessed us with. But thank You most of all for the friendship we share with You. We know that no matter how close wemay be to one another, You want us closest to You. Lord draw us all closer to our dearest friend-You. Lord we love You and we praise You. Amen.
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, New King James Version)
Walking into the house on that October afternoon, I had no idea what to expect. I was walking into a place of unknown territory. I was nervous and afraid all at the same time. Those feelings fled however when one lady that I didn't know walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me. That lady was Edie Melson. She hugged me and told me how glad they were to have me as part of the group. The next thing she said really broke the ice. She told me that she was reminded by a dear friend to be sure she took really good care of me while there. Since that first encounter, Edie and I have become extremely close. While the 2 of us are really good friends, there's an even greater friend that we have in common. His name is Jesus. If not for Him our friendship would be nothing.He reminds us in this verse that He sticks closer than a brother. While I know Edie would do anything she could for me, I also know that her friendship can't bring eternal peace. It can't bring me salvation. Only one person can bring that peace that we have for all of eternity. Once again ladies, that's Jesus. While you may have close friends here on Earth, do you have a relationship with the closest friend you'll ever have? Once you have that relationship, your earthly friendship will be all the more sweeter. I can promise you that!
Dear Lord, thank You for the friends you've so blessed us with. But thank You most of all for the friendship we share with You. We know that no matter how close wemay be to one another, You want us closest to You. Lord draw us all closer to our dearest friend-You. Lord we love You and we praise You. Amen.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
He's Always There
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, New King James Version)
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you always." Those were the words that Nan spoke to me in an email for the millionth time. You see, the weekend before we'd been together constantly. When it was time for us to go our separate ways, the enemy started throwing my past up at me. "It's happened before, she's the same way. You'll be treated the same, don't listen to her." In my heart I knew Nan wasn't going anywhere, but my head was a jumble of thoughts and accusations from the enemy. Sometimes, it's the same way with God. Our heart knws He'll never leave nor forsake us, but in our head...well, it's a different story. Our heart says, "Lord I know you're there" but our head says, "I'm all alone." Let me tell you ladies, that's not true. We're not alone. I know Nan isn't going anywhere; I know our friendship is lifelong. More than that though, I know that God isn't leaving my side. Nan may fail me, but He never will! Do you need to be reassured of His nearness to you? Let me encourage you to do what I do. When my head tries to be filled with the thoughts of being left alone, outloud I say "no!!!!!!!"
Father, thank You for your constant reassurance of being there for us. Thank You that we don't have to ever wonder if You're with us, because you will be there for us always. Lord please show my friends that You'll never leave them. Lord, we love You and we praise You. Amen.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you always." Those were the words that Nan spoke to me in an email for the millionth time. You see, the weekend before we'd been together constantly. When it was time for us to go our separate ways, the enemy started throwing my past up at me. "It's happened before, she's the same way. You'll be treated the same, don't listen to her." In my heart I knew Nan wasn't going anywhere, but my head was a jumble of thoughts and accusations from the enemy. Sometimes, it's the same way with God. Our heart knws He'll never leave nor forsake us, but in our head...well, it's a different story. Our heart says, "Lord I know you're there" but our head says, "I'm all alone." Let me tell you ladies, that's not true. We're not alone. I know Nan isn't going anywhere; I know our friendship is lifelong. More than that though, I know that God isn't leaving my side. Nan may fail me, but He never will! Do you need to be reassured of His nearness to you? Let me encourage you to do what I do. When my head tries to be filled with the thoughts of being left alone, outloud I say "no!!!!!!!"
Father, thank You for your constant reassurance of being there for us. Thank You that we don't have to ever wonder if You're with us, because you will be there for us always. Lord please show my friends that You'll never leave them. Lord, we love You and we praise You. Amen.
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