Wednesday, October 15, 2024

😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  Relationships and friendships seemed to have been the focus of this past week.  My brother came in town for the weekend, so I was able to share some time with him, my sister and her husband, and my parents on Thursday and Saturday.  One of my uncles passed away last Friday, which has prompted me to reflect on conversations and experiences we shared.  Saturday, I attended the Cursillo School of Leader gathering, in which the topic was the what, why, and who of friendship.  And next weekend there is a reunion scheduled with some of those that I served in the Air Force with.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make that trip.

There are so many people that make up the journey of our lives.  Some last as quickly as a breeze.  Others may last a season, years, or a lifetime.  Proverbs 18:24 tells us, “Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.”  So, choose your relationships wisely.  If a “friend” is toxic, it’s okay to walk away.

Not all relationships are meant to go deep.  It’s scary putting yourself out there and opening yourself up to be vulnerable.  When we are our authentic self, we allow others to also be their authentic self, which enables us to stop talking about the weather, our jobs, and other such superficial subjects.  Without God’s involvement, friendships are very limited.  It was said at the Cursillo School of Leaders, when you are authentic, you become spiritually and emotionally naked. 

It is said that when Aristotle was asked “What is a friend?”  His response was, “A single soul dwelling in two bodies.”  To me, Aristotle’s quote describes a friendship that can only be attained with God, Father, Spirit, Jesus.  That kind of friendship is something that we have to work at.  So often we try to fit God’s love and friendship into our schedule, instead to allowing Him to be first.  “A new commandment I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35.

A few days ago, I woke up with today’s song in my head.  When you listen to it, imagine God singing it to you.

Bless others and be blessed.

Shelly  :0)

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#PeteTownshend – Let My Love Open the Door