1 Peter 4:7-11
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 John 3:16-23
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."
If you were to ask my friends if I love them, they would most likely say yes. There is normally no question whether I do or don't. When I get to know someone, I normally share much more than ( I think ) a normal person would. I'm not afraid to get into my struggles and the successes.
I feel like, when I die, and my whole life is on display for God to see, and whoever else is around, I don't want there to be anything that I willingly hid. I want to be able to share openly about the struggles that I've faced, and more than joyous to share my successful days. God is the one that I want to glorify!
I have been noticing lately, when I discuss my friends, I talk about them like I've just encountered a super star. Every now and again I'll dote on them to others and give them a hearty description of great importance. All of them have something special that I do deeply admire. I guess it's a gift that I'm able to keep so positive whenever I speak of them.
You may ask, "Carin, why would you talk so highly of someone, wouldn't that just set them up to let you down?"
Well, you see, I'm all in when it comes to friends. The only way that someone could dearly let me down, would be if they continually misused my trust. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, I know I sure do! And, Jesus tells us to love one another and lay our lives down for each other. That is TRUE FRIENDSHIP. Even when someone keeps letting you down and creates themselves an enemy in your eyes, keep praying and loving them. Even if it's just loving them with Jesus in between, so you don't pull their hair out. One way that I keep myself from really hating (such an ugly word) someone (I've only learned this in the last four months) is to pray that God wouldn't take OUR kind of vengeance on them. I have learned to pray for the person, and that God would make them dead to their sin, and come alive in Him. That He would reveal to them the wrongs they've committed, and they would repent to Him about them. It's really the only thing I could do. And this is a holy revenge. Revenge on the sin they have committed, rather than on the person who just needs Jesus too.
So, if you are like me and dote on all your friends, because they are each incredibly special to you in their own little/big ways, feel blessed! God has made you this way ON PURPOSE! He is a gracious and marvelous giver, and Oh how He wants to bless you.
Jesus, I pray that you would make me out to be the best friend I can. That I would always shine YOUR LOVE and not my insecurities. Thank you for your blessings, and thank you for the struggles that revealed my deep needs for you. Teach me all Your ways Lord as I continue this journey with you. It's all I can do to be in love with You. Amen.