Sunday, January 19, 2014

silent seasons

I will admit I'm not a very proactive friend.  I love my people, I really do, but when it comes to keeping in touch with them regularly, I often fall down.  My thinking has always been, "No news is good news," but it's not always true.  Sometimes, ok, often, it means stuff is going on in my pals lives and it's not always good.  The more days that go by, the more friends I hear of having serious issues...cancer, death in the family, financial woes, and family troubles just to name a few.

The truth is that even when I'm in a silent season, one of my BFFs sends me a note that says, "What's going on?  You've been quiet for too long,"  and she's usually right.  Either Byron or I have been ill or there's been a negative relationship issue or something else has been haunting me.

I am going to give my best effort to not being the one leaving my friends alone anymore when they are making themselves scarce.  I might be the very one who can offer some help, encouragement, or just a listening ear.  

"If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble."  Ecclesiastes 4:10

I am thankful for my friends, including my daughters who have grown up to be my friends, and I am blessed with many others, most of whom are very long time friends. I need them and they need me. I am grateful for them for they lift me up when I am low.

Dear Father, 
How I thank you for strong friends who help me, who lend me their hands to lift me up.  Help me to always be a supportive hand to them.  Thank you for being my very best friend. I love you! 
Suzanne