"Friends"

The fact that I'm still here is the first gift!! 2nd Gift another beautiful day with ideal temps. 3rd gift is friends. "Real" friends. Ones that love you warts & all and attempt to bring you up higher on the important things that will matter in the *scheme of Eternity.*  And "what is said *here* stays here!! 

   Now I've only had a very few, what I consider *real* friends in my life by definition. But oh how God supplied!  

   My first one came in 5th grade as I moved to a strange town & school. Bonnie & I lasted well into high school and then our lives took different turns. But with Bonnie I got what I described & her Mom also! Mary Ballinger was like a 2nd mom to me.    Next 'real friend' was my dear sainted Mother-in-law. OH the things I learned around her table & at her feet and experienced. WOW! After all I was just 16 when she came into my life. She was the next MOM in my life & "real" friend. I've been negligent about some things, but God brings them up here and there and puts me in 2nd gear. :-) 
    Then along came Joyce. Friends forever even tho they had to move to AZ. We still keep in touch & chat via dear Face book. lol 
    When I returned unto the Lord's house from few years of *wandering* and nothing out there filled certain holes... Miss Dodie met me at the door... who better.. no one. The hours over coffee after church with her & Betty Somers were blessings and much needed! Being her sidekick & proof reader in the office was fun! Does not our heavenly Father know just who will help us to our feet & strengthen us, and help in His refining process? Oh yeah! (Right HSC men?)
    Then along comes this Janis Day person. We were in S.S. class together. When I'd go to the church & do Newsletters or be Dodie's secretary haha private Joke. Janis would be there cleaning or working on S.S. Books. We would chat and then one day she says.. "You want to be in a Crochet group?"  "Sure why not? I do a little." And the rest is history! Several left for varied reasons - new interests, moved away, health issues, etc. Those were good times, and we must remember *for that season* each was needed and taught me something the Lord wanted me to grasp, or change. BUT "The 3 Musketeers" are still at it! Janis, Me, & Marlene Mehok. Varied personalities and yet good for each other. OH how we look forward to Tuesday mornings!! AND sometimes we even Crochet or Knit.. lol But the best times are sharing life, devotions, Bible reading/discussions and fellowship"what's the application' here?? hmmm We are even getting better at praying more too. Ah memories of Pastor Thurmon Harris a praying man!!!
    As all this came to mind all I could think was.. WOW! How God uses men/women to still help His children. And Our STEP BY STEP "Bible Studies for Life" has Purpose! OUR Spring Quarter.. VICTORY - Who, what is my Victory over what? Then IDENTITY: MY Life of Faith. What is My Identity as a Christian living life in Christ, in church, at home, at work, in the community & on mission. Sooo much *meat* to feast on & apply. (ouch!)  
     OK Janis, Marlene.. my accountability partners... ONWARD! & UPWARD!
Going into the world, but not becoming part of it. Grand Last quarters S.S. studies too. Let's do some recapping on the points of all the sessions. NOW we shall be looking at OF ALL THINGS!!! "Real Relationships" 1.Love like Christ 2. Forge True Friends 3. Respect Authority 4. Share Christ 5.Encourage One Another  Then a special Focus on "First Things First."  Then "Broken Vessels: How God Uses Imperfect People" Yes He will use all of us in amazing ways. :-)
            Till Next time... OH What a beautiful day!! In the Lord. And of course our Greatest Friend is Jesus... I sure hope he's yours too.
What Does the Book Say? Not my opinions, preferences, or feelings.. The manual for living life, & living eternally. :-)