Accountability.
Love.
Compassion.
Truth.
Joy doubled.
Sorrow halved.
We see this in the book of Proverbs (27:17). The power of friendship and the ways of encouragement.
God places people in our lives for many different reasons. One of my favorites is connection. You can have many friends, however it is the ones that you are strongly connected, intertwined, and eternally bonded with, that will make the biggest impact in your life.
Cherish those friendships.
Nurture them.
Grow them.
God has ordained them.
Throughout our lives, we meet many people. Every single day, we are given terrific opportunities to allow others a glance into our lives. I love meeting people and the interaction is often uplifting and interesting. One thing I have realized is I am more intrigued by genuineness than any other aspect. You see I would rather converse with a nonbeliever who speaks from their heart than a believer who is insincere. Being real is what comes easier for most people although there are many who work hard at creating a facade, who speak one thing yet do another, who will work against others instead of working on themselves.
Determine that you will choose to live a genuine life, being open and honest not only with others but with yourself.
Care more about what God thinks that what anyone else thinks.
Share your life experiences with others.
Remember that every person who comes into your life has a purpose, something to bring to your life or something you are supposed to bring to their life.
Live authentically!
Sometimes we lose someone we love. Sometimes we grow distant from family or friends. And then there are times when it is the normal process in your family, your children grow up and begin life on their own. And there are times when we lose ourselves, or at least a part of who we are. These transitions can be good, painful or difficult. Sometimes, they can be all three!
For example, when my Dad left this world a year and a half ago, it was good for him. He had been suffering for a very long time. It was, of course, painful for me to let go. And continues to be difficult, at times. This is part of life.
I believe that we are supposed to use our experiences to benefit others. To help them heal, to help us heal.
Healing is a process. I have realized that even letting go of your children is a healing process.
Yesterday, as I was leaving the gym, I met two women who were at the same place in life as I am. They each mentioned that they were “empty nesters”. By the way, I do not enjoy that title, it makes me think of birds and emptiness! I mean we have no children at home. But it’s not empty, it is still full of love and joy and memories and skype!! So anyway back to the women who had also each taken their youngest to college recently. Three things came from those few seconds of sharing: I felt joy in knowing that God cares about me so much that He orchestrated that little meet! And knowing there are other Moms out there who are walking this same path AND willing to share their experience totally makes me happy. Plus the fact that when we share our true feelings with one another, we feel more connected to each other and to God.
Sincere and real moments remind me that there are genuine people out there who need Jesus as much as I do.
Today, take what you are going through and apply it to the people around you
