I Am Grateful
[image deleted][b][i][c=#BF6900]Looking at the bulletin board.[/c][/i][/b]
The first month of the new year is almost past, but the clutter remains on my bulletin board.
There, I have thumb-tacked various postcards I received last year from friends. I decided that that's how I would "handle" these materials this year, instead of putting them in a pile to collect dust and go forgotten. As I look at the bulletin board each day, my heart is warmed as I remember friends who have played different roles in my life: comforter, truth-teller, listener, hugger, encourager, constructive criticizer, relationship decoder/investigator, and so forth.
I see so many ways of serving and giving from many different types of friends. And I am blessed as I am reminded of what they have done for me. And then I am also convicted: What am I doing for my friends? How am I pouring into their lives as they are pouring into mine?
There's a saying: "The only way to have a friend is to be one." So right. Friendships don't just happen. They take time. They take effort. They take upkeep. And that means we all have to do something if we want to cultivate, grow and nurture relationships with others.
It's good to take a friend inventory and see what changes we may need to make in our outreach to those we call "friend."
The first month of the new year is almost past, but the clutter remains on my bulletin board.
There, I have thumb-tacked various postcards I received last year from friends. I decided that that's how I would "handle" these materials this year, instead of putting them in a pile to collect dust and go forgotten. As I look at the bulletin board each day, my heart is warmed as I remember friends who have played different roles in my life: comforter, truth-teller, listener, hugger, encourager, constructive criticizer, relationship decoder/investigator, and so forth.
I see so many ways of serving and giving from many different types of friends. And I am blessed as I am reminded of what they have done for me. And then I am also convicted: What am I doing for my friends? How am I pouring into their lives as they are pouring into mine?
There's a saying: "The only way to have a friend is to be one." So right. Friendships don't just happen. They take time. They take effort. They take upkeep. And that means we all have to do something if we want to cultivate, grow and nurture relationships with others.
It's good to take a friend inventory and see what changes we may need to make in our outreach to those we call "friend."
