First let me welcome you to my blog. If you are visiting for the first time or you are here because you read my devotion today, I'm glad you stopped by. And if this is not your first visit, well I'm glad you stopped by too:)
I've been a little lazy with my posts this week. The mood just didn't strike me. It's good this devotion came up when it did, because it spurred me to sit down and write.
This is one of my personal favorite devotions that I have ever written. Not because it's well put together or anything like that, but because of the message and what it's meant to my life. The friend I spoke of, Donna, just means so very much to me. Even though we lost touch for so long, we have indeed picked right back up and are now closer than ever. I can be 100% myself with her. And she can be the same right back. The persistence in finding and pursuing her has definitely paid off. God's timing was key in our reunion, but so was our obedience. I knew He wanted me to contact her, so I did. Donna knew it was time for her to respond, so she did. As I said in the devo (that's hip lingo for devotion, just to keep you in the know:)) the fruit has been rich! Here is a picture of some of that fruit, our daughters, Hayley Grace and Sydney (http://melissataylorp31.blogspot.com/2008/02/gno-girls-night-out.html). They have sleepovers and playdates regularly. Last week they amazed us by setting up their very first "service project". They sold rocks in front of Sydney's house to raise money for "the pore" ... that's what their sign said. Do you know those 2 raised $6.95 by selling old rocks????? I'm definitely going to post that story on another day, but it was the cutest thing. They split the $. Sydney gave hers to her church and HG is sending hers to Ecuador to give to the child we sponsor over there. My point, they have developed a valued friendship. It's precious and priceless.
The Bible talks about the value of friends. Jesus had close friends. He called His disciples "friends" (John 15:15). And in Proverbs it says that a friend sticks closer than brother. Ecclesiastes goes on to mention the value of relationships in chapter 4:9-12. Friends should be treated as the treasures they are. When you love something, you take good care of it. Friendship should be treated this way.
I encourage you to do something special for those special friends in your life today. Pick up the phone and tell them you love them. Send them a card just to say "you're special in my life." Don't assume they know, tell them. I really do believe the saying "to have good friends you need to be a good friend." Take it even one step further and plan a scheduled time to spend with them. You know, like a girl's night out or something.
To all my friends, I want you ALL to know how much I TOTALLY VALUE YOU IN MY LIFE!!!! I don't know what I'd do without you. My friends in the workplace, cyberspace, far away, and close by ... you have impacted my life. I ask the Lord to shower His blessing upon you this very day! I love you!
Have a great day! And don't forget to give a friend or 2 a call today.
Love,
Melissa
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12 comments:
I cannot think of a greater gift that God gave us than the one of friendship! Thanks, Melissa for the reminder to cling to our friends and to give them priority in our lives. Your srory of perseverance in connecting with Donna spurs us all on to follow through with the thought, "I should give her a call." Like you, I believe that thought originates in God's heart. He delights in our living together in unity. Have a great day dear friend!
This is just what I needed to hear today. Having chronic pain it feels sometimes like you are always the one in need. A couple weeks ago when I got this cast on, our pastors wife was over. She didn't say the usual "oh my gosh what did you do this time". (I don't like that one) She said "how long this time". Then tears pooled in her eyes. I said two months minimum and she started to weep. I looked at her and said "it is how it is". Then we prayed and her visit was over. The next day she had set up a weeks worth of meals for us. She didn't even ask me if we needed them, because she knew how I felt. She just did it. I was reminded how precious my friends really are. I am the type of person who loves to give and create special experiences for my loved ones. But have a VERY HARD time being on the receiving end. It has taken alot, but I know that by not receiving, I am denying someone else the blessing. Thank you for reminding me of that.
I care about you and appreciate this blog. It has helped me to write mine and stay acoountable.
Hugs,
Diane
Just read your devotion Melissa and then came over to your blog. Thanks for both of those today. They touched my heart in a special way since my best girlfriend is moving to Georgia in two days. Sigh!
But in the midst of sadness, I praise God for my cyber/bloggy friends. I was so blessed by actually getting to meet you and some of the other P31 gals. You have touched my heart in a special way! Thank you for your friendship, even though it is long distance! :)
Hope you have a blessed day.
Love,
Pearls
Thank you for reminding me that sometimes we have to be persistent in our friendships. It is so easy to just let time slip by without calling or getting together, and you have encouraged me to reconnect with a few very special people in my life.
Love you,
tammy
Melissa, this is beautiful. Friendships are so special. "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold." I have a couple of "gold" friends - one I've known since kindergarten. She is still resisting the things of the Lord, but I am persistant in loving her and connecting. The other I've known for over 30 years and she sounds like your "Donna" - a totally honest friend, always speaking the truth in love, but always fun and caring. I have other more "silver" friends (who are turning to 'gold' with each passing year), who I also cherish as special gifts.
The sad thing is, we are all at different stages in our life right now. I keep trying to connect but their lives are so very busy. I did finally get a hold of one special friend this morning, but we had to book a date a month in advance because her schedule was so busy.
I'm so thankful for this avenue of friendship. I wrote a post about the blessing of my 'bloggy' friends back on March 16th entitled, "Surprised by Joy" describing the love and acceptance I'm finding from gals I've never even met. God is so kind to see the longings of our hearts for connection, and fill this need in His creative ways when face-to-face visits are impossible.
I'm so glad the Lord is my Best Friend and that He never leaves me or fosakes me. I'm also SO thankful for the gift of the friendship I have found in you. You are a treasure, Melissa, and I'm so blessed to call you 'friend'.
Phil 1:3, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."
Love & prayers,
Joy
Just a thought, when I turned away from God, he didn't sit and wait for me to come back,
he stayed right by my side watching out for me and waiting for me to speak to him.
I am so glad I came to visit you today! Girlfriends are a blessing like none other and I am very grateful for the women God has brought into my life! What is really cool is that even over the internet we can meet people and make friends who support and encourage us. God can use anything and everything for His glory and Christian friendships will certainly bring Him glory!
~~Kelley
thank you also melissa for sharing your devotion, indeed i really appreciate, and truly you touch my heart yeah.. i know this sharing is not only for our close friends but it's also for someone who are longing and someone who find a truly friend to taking care of them.. specially for those who not find Jesus.
sorry for my english because this is not my languaged, im a native filipino.. just wanted to say something for your good sharing..
God bless you all my friend in Jesus..
That was a great devotion! Thank you!
I'm very thankful for all of your comments. God has touched my life through my friendships and I'm thankful that He has touched yours too.
Thanks for taking the time to let me know your thoughts. I read every comment and treasure it!
Love,
Melissa
hello am new in ur blog and i've found out about u from P31 by receiving ur devotion. ur devo really gave an impact in my heart but at the same time i feel so sad. am struggling with my friends these past few days. i've been doing the things u have posted and share in ur devo such as calling, emailing, text, etc to my friends but got no response at all. well not really. we do talk but just as normal people who knows each other by name. do u get my point? wad if u kept on RUNNING over them but no one answered? and they just do when they were in trouble? .... anyway, u can visit my blog and share me ur thought tthere. thanks.
RE:
Anonymous said...
Just a thought, when I turned away from God, he didn't sit and wait for me to come back,
he stayed right by my side watching out for me and waiting for me to speak to him.
March 26, 2008 1:45 PM
-it kinda happened to me the same thing though i didnt really turned away from Him. anyway, He's ALWAYS on our side waiting for us to CALL HIM.
If you have a few minutes, I would love your input on my blog in regards to the ten struggles that Christian women face. Thank you!
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