On a level of 1 to 10, I will give myself a -2 regarding being a friend this past year. With ‘quality time’ being my love language, my friends must have thought that I hated them.
I have put hours of dedication into my work (a very fulfilling job may I say), but started feeling alone, neglected, and forgotten. On the verge of burnout, I knocked on the first door – the most important one – the Door of my Best Friend. It was a good start to restoring friendships. As always, He welcomed me in with open arms for a chat. I went straight for His lap. It was not that chit-chat of the past year. It went deep and it cut even deeper. You know that sort where the Sword cuts through marrow and bone? It became an ugly cry type of conversation… long overdue.
Some days you might feel that your close friends have deserted you, that they have become an acquaintance rather than a real friend. You still see their faces on Facebook, but that is as far as it goes. There is a distance.
Today I want to reach out to my friends, my tribe, my family, my support system. I want to thank you for praying for me, praying with me and for your loyal support, even though I have been a non-existent friend for most of 2023. I have searched for pictures that will speak on my behalf. As a wise woman (it must have been a woman) once said: “A picture speaks a thousand words.” I spesifically chose 24 pictures for 2024. There is a picture describing our different friendships, and even a surprise or two. Thus, to each one of my friends and family: Today I am flooding you with pictures. May you know that it is a flood of love from me to you - washing over you, surrounding you and embracing you.
I treasure your friendship more than you will ever know. Thank you for caring about what I care about. Thank you for making my dark days lighter and brighter.
2024 is for my fierce friends. I will act. I will put in the effort. I will take care of our valued friendship:
1. I vow to value you.
2. I vow to spend time with you.
3. I vow to care for you and to care about what you care about.
4. I vow to be there for you when you need me.
5. I vow to pray for you and pray with you.
6. I vow to be honest, yet kind.
7. I vow to brainstorm with you when you seek solutions to your problems.
The Word I have received that cut through marrow and bone, was the well-known Word in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (The Message Bible):
“If you give everything you own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but you don’t love, you’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what you say, what you believe, and what you do, you’re bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”
Ralph Nichols said: “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.”
May I be your listening friend this year to come. May I carry your burdens and celebrate your joyous moments with you! May we face 2024 step by step, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand!
ILUVU and JESUSLUVSU2!
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