Friends: Carry Me

www.dictionary.com definition of

friend

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.

3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.

Doesn't that sound great... and wonderful?? Doesn't it make you feel special, lifted up, trusted?

Well... NOT ME... that is a terrible definition of friends. Ok... I get it, maybe, if its a casual acquaintance, someone that is not your enemy.... and I guess I could say that may fit some people in my life. 

BUT. NOT MY TRUE FRIENDS. 

My best friend in the world is my hubby. He is the person I can trust with my heart, my mind and my soul. He is God's gift to me and he completes me.

But, I am talking about true friends that I can share life, love, struggles, fears, etc. The friends,  I just didn't pick out of a crowd because they were like me, or they were popular, or beautiful. I am talking about the friends that God places in your life 

• to lift you up
• to pray for you
• to point you to Christ 
• to trust you 
• to share life with
• to carry you to Jesus....when you don't know if you can take another step
• and loves you even at your worst!

This week I was shown this story in scripture TWICE in one day (Sunday School & Sunday night service) so I would "get it" (cause I am slow like that :)

         Mark 2: 1-5 (KJV)

 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The man that was sick of the palsy was brought to Jesus by his friends. They knew that Jesus could heal their friend. They didn't give up because there was a crowd. They didn't wait at the door for the crowd to leave. They took matters into their own hands, because they had FAITH knowing that Jesus would heal their friend. They did what they had to do to GET him to Jesus. And Jesus did heal their friend, "When Jesus saw their faith". This wasn't the faith of their friend they were carrying. It was the faith of them... the friends!!

Do you have friends that will carry you to Jesus, when you can't take another step? Do you have someone that will tell you the truth in love, whether you want to hear it or not? Do you have friends that point you to Christ and teach you things about Him? Some of you may know the type of friendship I am talking about. The friendship that you know in your heart, was God ordained. If you do, let them know how much you appreciate them, and let them know the importance of your friendship. Take time to spend with them and lift them to the Lord always!

 

Some of you may not have a friendship that I am writing about, but you really wish you did. Well, first of all ask the Lord to open doors for a friend or friends like this..... I will let you in on a little secret - before you can have friends like this....you have to be a friend like this. You have to open yourself up to others, trust where you haven't trusted before, and let someone in to those hard places in your life. You have to put them before yourself. Give more than you take. Listen more than you talk. Pray more and go to God's word before just giving your opinion when talking over issues or giving advice.

 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to thank my special circle of friends for carrying me to Jesus, when I can't carry myself. Loving me in spite of my failures. Holding me accountable in my walk with the Lord. Supporting me even when its tough. I am so thankful to the Lord for ordaining our friendship and for giving us each other to stand shoulder to shoulder with. Thank you for the prayers, the love and for being there anytime I need you! I love you girls!!

Thank you Lord for the blessing of true friends, ones that I know that you sent my way. Lord, bless them and their families, pour out your grace and mercy as they serve you. Give them a special touch. Help me not to take them for granted, but to take them to You.