This week I was greatly hurt by the insensitivity of a long-time friend.
Friendships are all so very unique, but one thing is sure, a great friendship is always based on mutual respect.
When relationships fail, generally it’s because one side of the relationship fails to respect the other. When that happens you can be pretty sure that things will get messy.
Have you experienced a deep hurt or the loss of a friendship?
How did you deal with it?
As I was working through my hurt, I was reminded that I have one friend that I can always count on.
And you do too.
It’s Jesus.
This scripture verse came to mind…
I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father.
John 15:15
Jesus is the ultimate friend.
He is the BEST friend you will ever have.
He gave EVERYTHING for the benefit of our friendship, including his life.
He doesn’t have any secrets. He doesn’t love another friend more. He always tells the truth. He’s always available for us. He exemplifies what it is to respect a friend. He doesn’t have an agenda for this friendship other than simply loving and caring and spending time with us. Just think… the Son of God calls us friend!
When I was involved in children’s ministry, there was a song that we taught the kids that was a great reminder of the most wonderful friendship we could ever have.
Friend of God
Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing
(Chorus)
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend
God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend
“Friend of God” – Michael Gungor/Israel Houghton
Album Bigger Than My Imagination
Friends can be steadfast or fickle, but you can always depend on the Lord.
I love that he’s mindful of us… he’s thinking of us… and of course his love for us is amazing.
Plus… he always hangs with us.
“And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”
Matthew 28:20
Take time to relish this wonderful friendship. Let Jesus know how much you appreciate what he has done for you and what he does every single day.
- Let’s try to be the kind of friend to our friends that Jesus is to us.
- Wouldn’t the world be a different place if we all were true blue friends?
It’s JoyDay!
And time to get our joy meters soaring!
Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful. This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.
I’ll start…
Thank you, God…
- for your friendship. That YOU, the God of the universe, Who spoke everything into being, wants to be my friend. I’m humbled and in awe and soooooo very grateful!
- the fun of once again transforming my “window” boxes with pumpkins for this colder season.
- those wonderful steaming bowls of soup. I love that rich broth so much. It feels so healing.
- being able to bless my neighbor with those vintage thrift store dishes.
- a wonderful gift I received a year ago that blesses me every single day.
- for the laughter we had last night.
- Your love that is constant, unconditional, and never-ending.
Now it’s your turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the share your extraordinary thoughts section below.
You’ll be glad you did… I dare you!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.
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Happy Joy Day!
Oh how sorry I am that you have been hurt! ?
I just want to give you a big ol hug!!
I can’t really recall being hurt by a friend other than in school. But as an adult I don’t think it’s happened. I really do not have many friends because I have always been an introvert, busy in my family and my own little world. Oh I know a lot of people and I’m friendly with them, talk with them, help them if I can but that’s different. Women that I have known over the years want to eat out together, go shopping togeather, chitchat on the phone. None of that is “ME”. Maybe I’m missing out but I’m happy in my own company and of course my husband is my best friend. Oh and my puppy dogs. And they never tell secrets.?
Lord I thank you for,
1. Our youngest son got married Friday. Simple ceremony, low key and only a few of us there BUT they are so happy, and so are we!
2. Saturday I went out on my bike looking for garage sales. Found It! The very couch I have been looking for. Perfect condition, size and color. $20. ? They just wanted to get rid of it.
3. The oh so nice weather we have been having.
4. The amazing moon. I made my husband come look at it.
5. Oldest son helped us the other day.
6. I have been collecting morning glory seeds in the front yard for a few days and husband gets in his wheelchair to go out with me just to keep me company.
7. The much needed good sleep I have been getting this week.
Diane you are in my thoughts and prayers.
And you are so right, our very best friend will never hurt us ?
Blessings to you!
Minnie
You are so sweet, Minnie! I must say it surprises me that you are an introvert because you are so friendly when you comment here. How wonderful that your husband is your best friend. That is pretty special.
Congratulations are certainly in order!! Simple or lavish… your son and new daughter-in-law’s happiness is what it’s all about!!
Thanks for your prayers… you are so thoughtful!! xoxo
Joy Day
1. We praised God in a difficult situation. I really had to stop from despair and turn to praise. Over and over. And we praised. God saw that we were reimbursed for payment we’d had to pay. Praise Him!!!! We were told we were just out of luck.
2. Im still remembering an hour with my grandsons a week ago.
3. I heard my husband singing and praying.
4. I made dinner tonight!!!
5. The sunset was so pretty.
6. There’s hummingbirds at my orange honeysuckle vine plant. I’m happy.
7. The Lord will provide.
Gwen, you continue to inspire me with your attitude of praise. Thank you, LORD! for hearing your heart cry and blessing you!
I love how you find joy in everyday things!! May your week overflow with JOY and God’s goodness! xo
Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa.
I wish to praise and thank our Heavenly Father for always being faithful.
I wish to thank Him for putting us through trials and tribulations because He loves us and wants to take from Glory unto Glory.
I wish to thank Him for blessing others and helping them in very difficult circumstances and these folk share their testimony with others which in turn builds us up.
I wish to thank Him that HE is still allowed in our schools and that the school our Grandsons attend still pray in Jesus Name and have prayer meetings and prayer groups and they are a Government School.
I wish to thank Him that I can share Him and what He has done for us and others, with my Husband who also trusts Him and seeks His guidance each day.
I wish to thank Him for the beautiful rain that fell during the night as our Province has been though a very bad drought and we have water restrictions. Our city would have been the first city in the World to run out of water. HE had blessed us with rain and our dams are looking promising. We are at the beginning of our Summer.
I wish to praise Him for His promise of Eternal Life and for walking with me on this journey and never leaving my side. I rejoice in the knowledge that I will see Jesus face to face.
Sending blessings to you all.
Kindest regards
Gerolene
Cape Town!!! I love this big online world where we don’t have borders and oceans to set us apart. Welcome, Gerolene and thank you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself and share your JOYS!! Praying your Province no longer is in a drought.
May your week overflow with grace and JOY!