(A picture of me & Brigette, my dear friend of 17 years)
“For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.” Galatians 5:14, The Message Translation
What kind of a friend are you?
– Do you hold confidences or break them?
– Do you celebrate successes or respond in jealousy?
– Do you “give” in the relationship or simply “take”?
– Do you thank God daily for their friendship or take them for granted?
– Do you listen or do all the talking?
– Do you tell them how much they mean to you or assume they already know?
– Do you encourage them when they are down or pick them apart with your words?
– Do you bringing your friends closer to Christ or pull them farther away?
– Do you love at all times or just when it’s about you?
– Do you speak highly of others or gossip about them behind their back?
– Do you forgive or hold bitterness in your heart?
– Do you see the best in others or assume the worst?
– Do you judge quickly or give the benefit of the doubt?
So let me ask you again: What kind of a friend you are?
It is so easy to see faults in other people, yet fail to see the truth about us. Earlier this year, I encouraged you to do a “friend check” (click here if you did not read this blog) and give God permission to remove anyone who is a wrong influence in your life and bring new friendships, which will encourage you to fulfill your destiny in Christ. I have heard from so many of you how God is moving in your life concerning your friendships. However, it is now time to do some self-reflection and make sure that you are being the kind of friend you are expecting everyone else to be.
Lord,
“Help me to be the kind of friend I am expecting others to be to me. Forgive me Lord for gossip, jealousy, unforgiveness, assumption, selfishness and not sharing how important my friends and family are to me. I speak blessings over those You have brought into my life and I ask that goodness and mercy follow them all of their days. You are my best friend Jesus and I long to be a faithful friend to You here on earth. Open my eyes to see Your goodness and ears to hear Your voice this day. I am so thankful that I can call You my friend. I am never alone or forsaken. Thank you Lord for always being there for me. Your love is amazing and I worship you this day.” Amen.
PS:
Dear Tracyhurst.com Readers,
As many of you know, Heather from www.especiallyheather.com is having surgery Thursday at the Mayo Clinic. Please be in prayer for her and her healing. For more information and to sign up for prayer cover click here onto Kelli’s site.
Joyce Meyer says that if you have one true friend throughout your life, count yourself blessed. It is so true. One of the most difficult things to do in life is build true friendships – friendships free of selfishness, insecurities, and jealousy; but taking an honest look at ourselves and answering the difficult questions you’ve put before us is a great place to start!
I thank God for you, Trac! It’s a blessing to call you my friend!
What a great reminder! Thanks for the friend check! I have some things to change so I can be a better friend. God bless sister!
http://avoicetobeheard.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-gods-perfect-will.html
Dear Tracy,
It’s a blessing to be in your company. I appreciate the link to your blogroll and will do the same in my “Proverbs Women.” I promise to stop by every now and again to see how the Lord is workin’ in you, through you, and for you!
Please read the above hyperlink on “God’s Perfect Will” to read my testimony on God removing the blessed subtractions so that I may focus on my God-given talent to be “a voice to be heard.”
Abundant blessings…
PS My mommy blog is Growing with Julia
http://www.growingwithjulia.blogspot.com/
PS As a Christian who has learned important lessons about being surrounded by people, I celebrate my “true” friendships and online acquaintances and tell them often how much they are appreciated in my life. Moreover, I have prayed that God bring the right women in my life that are like-minded. I would rather have fewer people around me knowing that those He has specially selected will add to my purpose.
Hi Tracy – Just wanted to say thanks for dropping by my blog today. It’s so nice to “meet” you. 😉 Your blog is so beautiful and was such an inspiration during my visit. I will certainly be back.
Love, Michelle
What a wonderful post. I like your blog. Thank you for stopping in for a visit. Please come again.
I will be praying with you all for Heather.
In his endless love,
Angel Mama ( Pearls of Wisdom)