I woke up this morning feeling really blessed.
I have some really great friends, one or two in particular that always seem to light up my day whenever I hear from them. It also occurs to me that I have friends in all different stages of life. Remember when we were all in the same stage - high school, or college or "just married, no kids" then it all started changing and now I find that I know friends the same age as me, but in drastically different stages of life.
One especially close friend is newly divorced with a five year old. Through her eyes I get to "live" the single life, complete with the angst of dating again and meeting new people, struggling with an ex-husband and stepping out into the unknown, but relying fully on her faith in God. She inspires me everyday.
Another close friend is facing a momentous event this weekend as her oldest daughter graduates high school. She is a mom to five kids and this is the first "baby bird" flying from her nest. I know this friend's heart, it is going to hard on her and the rest of the family as they are a close knit group. I am living through her as I think forward in time to this event sure to happen in my life. Funny to me that this friend and I graduated high school together, and we probably never stopped to reflect once on how it might have affected our parents... now, suddenly we are the parents, feeling all the pain. Such a strange new world.
I revel in her strength as she prepares to "let go" of this child that she has loved and nurtured all these years. I am quite sure this remarkable young woman is completely prepared, she has a great mom (and dad!) but what strikes me most is her mother's unwavering faith and belief that God will see them all through.
Other friends are making their way in life owning their businesses, caring for their growing families, struggling over losing parents, or even some struggling with illness much too soon in their lives. One of my closest old friends passed away about eight years ago and I can't help but think how life is just so different without him here, without his influence in my life and how much I miss his friendship.
I am indeed blessed. Friends are friends forever... thank you Michael W. Smith. This phrase always carry me back, to 1980 something and helps me to remember the bonds of friendship formed during those teenage drama filled years. I am thankful for my friends. We may be in different stages of life, but it is comforting to know we are all children of The King of Kings and will be forever friends because of our shared faith.
So, old friends, whether we are at the same stage in life or you have passed me by and are up ahead, I treasure you and I learn something from each of you every time we encounter each other.
... if the Lord's the Lord of them... and a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end...
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
3 comments:
What an inspiring post thanks for sharing!!
Kelsey
mysweetlife.org
I really loved your post, and I know one of the friends that your talking about and she is truly one of the sweetest people I have ever met and I know how blessed you are to have her in your life, I know how blessed I have been over the past 12 years to know her as well.
True friends are very rare and I have learned that I would rather have 5 GREAT friends than 20 friends I'm not so sure I could trust ya know.
always love your blog. how did you like American Idol tonight? GO DAVID'S!!!!!!!
That was beautiful. Funny, I've also done a lot of thinking on my friends lately. We come from all different backgrounds with children of different ages and in different stages, we are in different stages of life and yet I cherish them all. Also funny how it's not the same group that I sang that song with at camp years ago:)
-Janine at ChristianParenting.today.com
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