Friends.
Playmates.
Defenders.
Encouragers.
Kindred Spirits.
We need in our lives those we can call friends. Playmates we can share the fun of life. Defenders who we can count on when our walls of protection are crumbling. Encouragers who speak truth in love to inspire, nurture, cultivate and strengthen our lives. Kindred spirits who graciously intertwine their faith and lives with our own so our journeys will not easily be deterred.
As I pondered the wo
rds of Luke 5 this morning and considered the events of the last few weeks, I know I have been blessed with such amazing friends. Sisters, who confronted, challenged, encouraged and loved me to the Truth. Truth that I had known but wouldn’t accept and therefore, lay paralyzed in the muck of my own sin. They carried me past the crowds, through the roof and lowered me to the foot of Jesus. This is the only place w
here forgiveness and healing could be found. They knew that and they knew that pride, fear and shame had incapacitated me. Their faith carried and placed me where I needed to be, the place where I could not seem to get to on my own.
This place, this sacred, holy destination is where healing was found. I stand in the strength that is not my own. I will not argue with the Pharisees who doubt the healing or the forgiveness. I will pick up my mat and go home – praising God for what He has done and for the sister friends who brought me there.
Playmates.
Defenders.
Encouragers.
Kindred Spirits.
We need in our lives those we can call friends. Playmates we can share the fun of life. Defenders who we can count on when our walls of protection are crumbling. Encouragers who speak truth in love to inspire, nurture, cultivate and strengthen our lives. Kindred spirits who graciously intertwine their faith and lives with our own so our journeys will not easily be deterred.
As I pondered the wo
rds of Luke 5 this morning and considered the events of the last few weeks, I know I have been blessed with such amazing friends. Sisters, who confronted, challenged, encouraged and loved me to the Truth. Truth that I had known but wouldn’t accept and therefore, lay paralyzed in the muck of my own sin. They carried me past the crowds, through the roof and lowered me to the foot of Jesus. This is the only place w
here forgiveness and healing could be found. They knew that and they knew that pride, fear and shame had incapacitated me. Their faith carried and placed me where I needed to be, the place where I could not seem to get to on my own.This place, this sacred, holy destination is where healing was found. I stand in the strength that is not my own. I will not argue with the Pharisees who doubt the healing or the forgiveness. I will pick up my mat and go home – praising God for what He has done and for the sister friends who brought me there.
Wisdom here. I think we/you carry a faith the faith of the entire body of Christ and the Holy Spirit wields it within us/you graciously and faithfully.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious and powerful sharing....Loved the photos also. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Denise. Thanks for sharing this with us all and thanks for being an encourager.
ReplyDeleteI'm all over the friend thing! How on God's green earth would we ever make it without those precious sidekicks - the ones we trust to challenge us, laugh with us, share life with us? And who knew how the Lord would even connect hearts here in cyberspace?
ReplyDeleteGood to call you "friend".
Be blessed,
Kathleen
Where would we be without our sisters? Looks like you are blessed with some pretty special ladies in your life.
ReplyDeletePraise God for friends!
This was absolutely beatiful Denise! Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDelete