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.

Oh What a Night :D

Mid- Fall back in 2013, we headed out for a night of fun to celebrate 21......

Lol!! Confused?? You have to sing the word with the tune from the song "Oh What a Night"!! I am sure most of you don't even know that song... it came out before I was born!! 

If you read my last post you will remember that my hubby & I were celebrating our 21st Anniversary!! We are not the most romantic people on the planet....nor are we spontaneous by any stretch of the imagination. We usually celebrate by going on a date. Which normally consists of going out to eat, then heading to Wal-*art on our way home. Exciting & romantic right?? Oh, we have gone out of town a couple times.... and I did plan a couple surprises along the 21 years, but we have had such a busy couple of months, going away seemed like more work than play. 

So, we planned to go out to eat. (I know some of you are like - BORING!!) Not really, not when I get to spend some one-on-one time with my man. You do remember we have 4 children, one which is married and 2 grandsons......? :) love them all to pieces but once in a while completing a conversation can be nice.

Our special friends asked us to go on a date with them earlier last week. She didn't realize it was our anniversary. We talked it over and it has been months since we have gotten together, just adults. We decided, sure!!

Then the problem of deciding where to go or what to do was at hand. Geez. They too are like us. Not very spontaneous. Well...... a pi*teresting  I went. 

Have you ever heard of a Food Crawl? Or Progressive Dinner?? Well, I had, sort of. Go to one place for appetizer, one for dinner, one for dessert, and then something afterwards. (Alright, people lets keep it clean!! This is a family blog!!) Soooo, L & I decided we would go for it.... with a twist. Each of us would choose a place we wanted to go for each part of the night. Then we would pick from an envelope where we would go.....at each stop.

When I first told B what we were going to do.... he looked at me like I was C.R.A.Z.Y. (I read his expression as WHY?) He warmed up a little once he tried to figure out his choices. I think it was the same with C, he thought L had really lost her mind. 

I have to apologize, because I really meant to take more pix.... but we were having way too much fun!! And eating WAY WAY too much food. (seriously, gluttony is a sin!!)

First Stop- Appetizers!!  We had Sis pick our first stop!

My hot date!!

Our pager #!!! We were celebrating 21 years!!

Fun with the BFFs

 

 

We had our server "pick" what was for supper!! 

 Next on the agenda  - dessert!! (really?? I am so full!!)

Oh my goodness.... and boy was the Apple Dumplin AWESOME!!

Picture from Cracker *arrel(the crunchiness is sinful!  

 

 

 

 

 

Bahhaaaaa

 By the time we got to the Afterwards, we realized it was late and going back to our house was the only choice that was open (with the exception of S*arbucks) and we def could not put another bite in our mouths!! 

What a fun night!! We laughed, we talked serious stuff, not so serious, (oh, I left out the part about the Questions game.....a fun game with interview, communication, interests questions). Somethings we learned about each other was TMI......

someone doesn't like to wear white underwear

someone likes a winter coat

someone doesn't like dogs (other than their own)

someone's spouse is most like the cartoon character Minnie Mouse and another is like Hank Hill

someone won't share her toothbrush

and some things.....well they don't need to be repeated! :)

We had so much fun, that we intend to do it again.......

Friday Flashback!!

Yayy!! It's FRIDAY, and the SUN is shining!! And its supposed to be 64 today and in the 70s tomorrow!!! Thank you Lord!! Spring is coming slowly but surely!! Whoo Hoo!! Bub has a game today, and PRAISE the LORD I won't be sitting there bundled up with coats, blankets, gloves, etc! I am considering investing in a snowsuit to wear for the first month or so of baseball season! I didn't get a picture (because my hands were to cold) but Mr B, put his ski pants on in the 2nd inning!! He said, "Go ahead, laugh, but my legs are going to be warm." :) I love that silly man!! 

This picture cracks me up!! I know it probably doesn't do anything for you......... This is the PillagePeople, they were in our camp talent show last year ( I know, its not much of a flashback), and it just cracks me up whenever I think about it. They danced to the ChaCha Slide. If I can ever figure out how to put a video of it on here I will.  They were awesome.... AND THEY WON!!! 

I won't tell who they are .....but those that read my blog can reveal themselves in the comments!! 

Aww Me & my baby girl! She was 14 (I think?) in this pic! Where has time gone??

And its been 2 years since the pretty lady on the left got married! Happy Anniversary KTB!!

Have a great weekend!!

Joy! : Thankful Thursday!

I want to thank the Lord for some of the JOY He has put in my path this week!!

*Encouraging texts help me get through my day! Special friends that take time out of their busy lives to send me a text with scripture or that they are praying for me brings me a lot of "JOY"! Lift your friends to the Lord and let them know about it! They will appreciate it, I KNOW!

*On my way home one day this week, I was feeling worn out and tired. Not so much physically, but spiritually.  I was asking the Lord to give strength and power to handle the evening. (I have a friend that calls getting home, homework, supper, etc  - the witching hour) Sometimes I feel that. And I am the WITCH. I am really working on that part of me. I find it hard to keep myself together, and I am diligently working on that area of my life. While sitting at a stop light, I look up and see a sign with the same words......

that cracked me up!! How many times have I said to my boys, "don't make me come in there!"????
Love how He puts things in my path, just when I need it!! A great way to start my evening! And wondered, just how many times has he said that to me??

*Had lunch with Leslie. We haven't had much time to talk or to catch up lately. I am so thankful for her!!  And that she works close by. We are going to have to have lunch more often! Nothing like catching up!!

*Went by a friend's house to drop something off. Wasn't expecting to stay but a minute. Got to sit, talk & pray for a short time. What a blessing that was for me! Little did I know that she had a rough day and God used me stopping by to encourage her. Little opportunities that I normally let slip by, because I am RARELY spontaneous like that.

* My husband.... because he puts up with my nonsense. Thankful that the Lord gives him patience with me.

*God's word has brought me a lot of JOY this week. He is for me! He loves me so much. He loves me enough to put me on a path that is for my good and His GLORY! May I follow in obedience.

*Now, I am not a "snow" person, but I have seem some JOY in my children (and some of my silly friends, you know who you are!!) at the mention of snow in the forecast. If it does snow..... I may like it for a moment....its been raining here ALL week! So it would be a welcome change. :) If it could just wait til Friday, that would be even better!
 
I love that the Lord chose JOY for my 2013 word. May I continue to look for JOY in my life! How about you? Have you experienced any JOY this week??

Looking Back at 2012

I was looking back over some of my posts for 2012 and chose the top 5 viewed.... something I had never looked at before....if you need some reading material check them out.
#1 Content: I Get To
#2 Who Is Sitting On the Throne of My Heart?
#3 Disappointment
#4 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
#5 This Is For Bub

For those of you that are visual people.....a glimpse of 2012