Women's Ministry

Have you ever been taken back to a moment in your past by smelling or tasting something? Maybe it was seeing someone or something, hearing a song or hymn that took you back with all the feelings and emotions that were felt at the memory.

On our last trip to the mountains on a rainy day Stewart and I decided to watch an old movie ‘Tammy and the Bachelor’. It was popular during the time Stewart and I were dating. As soon as the music came on with Debbie Reynolds, singing “Tammy, Tammy, Tammy‘s in love”, all those emotions, and all of those feelings came flooding back into my memory, and I was transported back into that time and feelings of my first love.

In Genesis 1 God tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. James 1:17 “ Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” I believe He gave us this gift of responding to sights and sounds, taste and feel as a  trigger to literally take us back to our first love(Jesus)! But like most of God’s gifts, it comes with a choice. We can use it to build a relationship with Him that builds our faith, Or we can use it selfishly for our own good, the world’s way.

Galatians 4:4-5 “ But when the set time, had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

Luke 2:17 “ Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

There were probably many times, places, sights and sounds that took Mary back to Jesus birth and to who He truly was ( The Son of God), Also His reason for coming. We cannot fully celebrate Christmas without remembering the cross and Jesus resurrection.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS everything about it! The sights the sounds, and the gifts!. For God so loved the world, He Gave! At Christmas time I have been given a lot of the gift  of being transported back in time. I can see a Christmas tree and remember our Christmas trees at home when I was still a small child. In my mind they were huge and beautiful, packed with wonderful gifts under the tree. In reality, though, looking back at the pictures from that time-they were scrawny trees with very little presents under them. Everyone was happy and carefree, sharing lots of food, fun and laughter. That part is mostly true. I hear a Christmas Carol, like O Holy Night and remember our children’s Christmas program on Christmas Eve. Back then everything seemed to revolve around Jesus and His coming to this earth to set us free. I have just recently started, asking the Lord to give me eyes to see the sights and sounds and gifts of Christmas through a Child’s eyes! I want to feel that expectation of something wonderful happening, no matter what is going on around me. I want to be able to experience every moment of joy that Christmas holds.To see every Christmas tree as something beautiful and wonderful of God’s creation. To hear a Christmas Carol, and be moved into praise and worship to our glorious King. To feel or smell, something wonderful, and be thankful to our Lord for His goodness. When I see a beautifully wrapped gift. I want to remember God’s incredibly beautiful gift of Jesus.

It has been said “ Life is God’s gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.”  Merry Christmas and a Happy and Full Life! 

We want to thank Elaine Norrell for sharing this post.

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love everything that comes along with it…the decorations, the twinkly lights, the Christmas music, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the baking, the family gathering….you name it, I love it!

I remember as a young girl being so excited for the gifts of Christmas. I didn’t grow up getting gifts throughout the year. The only time I got toys was for my birthday or for Christmas. I remember when the Sears catalog came in the mail and I would sit for hours, circling the things that I wanted Santa to bring. I remember one Christmas in particular that I wanted a certain baby doll that I saw in a toy store in the mall. Every time we went to the mall, I would go in that toy store and look up in that glass cabinet when that doll was displayed. Sometimes I got up the courage to ask a store clerk if I could hold him. I longed for that doll for months! Low and behold, Christmas morning came and that doll was under the Christmas tree! I named him Todd and that doll went with me everywhere, until I outgrew him.

The decorations of Christmas bring me so much joy! I begin decorating my house on November 1. It takes me several days to get everything put up just the way I want it. The wreath on the door, the Christmas trees, the mantel lights, the table set just right…all of this makes my house so beautiful, until I get tired of the clutter. The strand of Christmas lights on the tree burn out. The candles are all melted down to the nub. All that’s left is the clean up.

The cooking brings me joy! I love to bake sweet treats to take to my neighbors or make casseroles to put in my freezer so that I don’t have to cook when my kids and grandkids come home for the holidays. I love the way my house smells when things are baking, until I have to clean up the mess.

I love Christmas, until it’s over. Then you have to deal with the clean-up, the returns, the extra weight you’ve put on, the “un-decorating”….Then what is left?

That’s where the good news comes in!

Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON. I know that is cliche, but it is the truth. When we focus on HIM throughout the season, the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas can stay with us all year long! Jesus – a baby who came to earth as flesh to walk with us. Jesus – telling us how to spend eternity with him. Jesus – a man who hung on the cross to take away all our sins. Jesus – calling us to Him. Jesus – the greatest gift of all!

Unlike the doll we received as a Christmas gift, we will never outgrow Jesus. Unlike the decorations, Jesus’ light will never dim or fade. Unlike the sweet treats that make our bodies weary and achy, Jesus will always be a delight for our hearts!

Spend time enjoying the things you love at Christmas – the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas. Just don’t forget the most important sight, sound and gift of Jesus!

We want to thank Vickie Young for sharing this post!

I adore the Christmas season! It’s all I can do to wait to put up all things Christmas! I actually start celebrating in my heart as soon as the first hint of fall appears. I’d celebrate all year.

The first chance I get, and any time I’m alone, I love to listen to Christmas music. Silent Night, The First Noel, Joy to the World, they all take me back to the Christmas story while I bake cookies and pies.

I love the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas that is enveloped in the Christmas story. But before we dive in, go back with me to the book of Isaiah, where God showed His love in the promise of the Messiah.

“Look, the Virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel, God with us!” Isaiah 7:14

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Even though the promise of the Messiah had been foretold, Israel continued to rebel and God completely stopped speaking to the prophets. During this time the Jews experienced very few peaceful years.

As we move forward, we find Joseph and his fiancé Mary. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary and tells her she’s been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus. What a sight that must have been! Can you imagine what she must have felt? Just for a few seconds try to put yourself in her place. Joseph and Mary had not consummated their marriage and she’s expecting a child. Through God’s intervening actions He sent an angel to Joseph revealing to him to accept Mary as his wife. I can’t even begin to understand what it felt like to get this kind of news. The promise of the Messiah revealed in Isaiah is coming to fruition right before their eyes!

During this time, a census was ordered requiring Joseph to return to his hometown of Bethlehem. Today, for us, a 90 mile trip is a breeze, but for Joseph and Mary, it was a different journey. Think about it, walking 90 miles over difficult terrain.

As they arrive in Bethlehem, the streets are crowded and noisy from all of the extra people who are also coming to be counted in the census. Remember, Joseph has family living here and makes his way through the crowds to his family’s home. In Joseph’s time and culture, the houses in that day were two levels. The upper portion of the house was the living quarters for the family. The lower portion of the house or Inn was used as a stable to keep the animals in at night and when it was cold. The Nativity that we are all used to seeing isn’t accurate. When we read there’s no room in the Inn, it meant there was no room for them in the upper portion of the house. So, they went to the lower portion of the house- Inn- to stay with the animals.

It is here that the Savior of the World is born! 400 years of silence is broken in the cry of Immanuel, God with us. Oh, how their hearts must have been full of so much joy! Can you feel the love of God as He lays in the manger?

In the meantime, God placed a beautiful star in the sky to guide those seeking Jesus to the place they were staying. The Maji followed the star, the shepherds were guided to Jesus. God made a way for all to know! An angel is proclaiming the Good News while a miraculous sight of 10,000 angels are shouting His praises.

The gifts of the Magi would illuminate the different aspects of Jesus’ identity:

• Gold- valuable kingship on Earth
• Frankincense- the Deity of Jesus, fragrant
• Myrrh- anointing or embalming oil, foreshadow of His death

These gifts would portray the love and grace that He would bring.

So, enjoy all of the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas, However, remember it’s because of God’s love, His promise and the hope and life that came to us in Bethlehem when Jesus, Immanuel, God with Us, was born! Celebrate Jesus!

We want to thank Janie Keller for sharing this post!

But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)

This verse has been rolling around in my head for a while now. We talked about godliness for an entire month in March of last year, and it seems as if “the quality of being like God” would be enough. And yet, Paul tells us that it is godliness WITH contentment that is great gain. 

So what is contentment exactly? How does it relate to gratitude? What is it’s great gain?

The Greek word used for contentment in 1 Timothy 6:6 means “a mind contented with its lot.” 

Our English dictionaries have it down to mean “a state of happiness and satisfaction.”

If we keep reading into verses 7 and 8, we get a little more about contentment.

Here, Paul tells us, “7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” 

In verse 8, the word for content is slightly different – it carries with it the connotation of not only being satisfied, but of being enough. It has a connotation of sufficiency. But what I loved most about this word, was some of the other places that it was used in scripture. 

For example, in John 14:8, this word is used when Philip says to Jesus, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

Or in Hebrews 13:5, where we are told “Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.”

What is it that we each have, that is enough? Jesus.

Each and every one of us, who have made the choice to give our lives to Christ, have Him. We have His Spirit, ever present with us. And that, is the secret to being content, no matter what else we do, or do not, have.

In Philippians chapter 4, Paul is expressing gratitude to the church at Phillipi over their support of him. It is after expressing this gratitude to the people of Philippi that Paul writes this:

Philippians 4: 10-13

“11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Paul tells us again – I have learned to be content – and how has he learned this? Because he knows that all he does – he does through Jesus. He knows that whether in abundance or in poverty – he will have what he needs – IN JESUS.

And Paul lived no easy life – he survived multiple shipwrecks, was persecuted for preaching the gospel, and was eventually martyred for the faith. When he says that in all circumstances, the secret to being content is Jesus, we can believe him.

In our house, we read biographies of christian missionaries. While some of these heroes have paid the ultimate cost for their faith, by giving their life, what I am constantly amazed by, is the way that each and every one of these men and women laid down their lives daily, in pursuit of the Lord, and seeing others come to know Him. 

I have never known what it is to go hungry, to not know where my next meal was coming from. I’ve never known what it was like to go to sleep, not knowing if I or my family would be killed in the night, attacked for our faith. And yet I see a pattern among these christian heroes – they each chose to leave a life of ease, and endure the most horrific of circumstances, simply so that they could spread the love and message of Jesus to those that had never heard it. 

And what do we see in their journals? Gratitude. Contentment. They find contentment in all of their circumstances, because they know that no matter what – they have all they need in Jesus. They were satisfied – grateful – simply being able to walk with Christ, and carry the gospel to those who needed it – no matter what circumstance it put them in.

Gratitude brings contentment. And contentment brings gratitude. It’s a cycle that builds upon itself, taking us to a place where we too, can learn to “give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Now as the holidays approach, I want to challenge us. There are plenty of opportunities to let discontent rest in our hearts. Discontent over what we have. Over the state of our families or relationships. Discontent over our homes, and even our bodies and our abilities.

But instead, let’s choose gratitude. Let’s choose to be content.

Contentment brings peace. 

Contentment brings joy. 

Content brings us closer to Christ.

Godliness with contentment, is indeed, great gain.

We want to thank Brooke Kellum for sharing this post.

It was one of those days. It had been a rough night, my kids were fighting every few minutes, and nothing about the day seemed to be going right. I knew I should be thankful. After all, it was “just a bad day, not a bad life” but I was still having trouble getting my heart right. As I was praying, the Lord brought this song to my mind. 

 I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart 

I will enter His courts with praise 

I will say this is the day that the Lord has made 

I will rejoice for He has made me glad. 

 I don’t think I had heard it for many years, but there it was. God is always so faithful to bring reminders to us when we need them the most, and I REALLY needed the reminder that day. Truth be told, I had been struggling for about a week with letting my worries and day to day issues live at the forefront of my mind instead of my blessings.  It was in the middle of my bad attitude that the Lord reminded me, through this song, that my circumstances and emotions do not get to dictate whether I have a heart of thanksgiving. The fact that “this is the day that the Lord has made” is enough to warrant thankfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in allcircumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Some synonyms of thankfulness are gratitude, appreciation, and gratefulness. He is worthy of our gratitude/appreciation/gratefulness because he is God. We need no reason other than he is the creator and we are the creation, but he is a good God who loves us so much that he also gave us Jesus. No matter how my day is going, no matter what situation I am in, I can choose a heart of thankfulness because of the freedom I have in Jesus. Even in our sin, he became the sacrifice and took our punishment for us so we could live in freedom on Earth and in heaven with him someday. If that is not something to be thankful for, I don’t know what is!  

Having a heart of thanksgiving may not change our situation, but it will change our mindset. Saying “I choose to be thankful” will shift our focus to the Lord instead of the problem and bring about peace even in the middle of a trying day. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” If we can be intentional about having a thankful heart on the good days, it will come a lot easier to us on the bad days. 

Cultivating a heart of thanksgiving may not come easy at first, and that is okay. Sometimes, especially in the middle of our trials, all we can really start with is “thank you, God.” In my experience, as I get into the habit of saying “thank you, God” instead of only complaining to God, specific blessings from the Lord come to my mind much faster. I can then say “thank you God for the blessing of…” because we know if it is good, it is from the Lord. James 1:16-17 says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” 

God is so good to us, friends. He loves us and wants us to live a life full of joy and peace no matter our circumstances. Let’s remember to thank him today. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 

We would like to thank Courtney Harper for sharing this post.

When my grandkids were younger and they came to visit, after they left their handprints would be all over my glass front door and patio door! (BTW I’m a clean freak) But God showed me something from these precious handprints and fingerprints…. They were a blessing! So I would leave them for a few days just so I could remember how much they bless my life and how much I love them💕💕

Have you ever had a situation that allowed you to look at it as either a blessing or curse? 

As I prepared to write this blog I began to pray, read other blogs and even listen to podcasts. But my thoughts were racing in every direction. Finally, I sat down and had a talk with The Lord and during that time the hymn, “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman, Jr. came to my mind. Needless to say, it’s been a long, long time since I have heard or thought about that hymn.

God began to reveal to me that a heart of thanksgiving grows from us counting our blessings in all circumstances.

A thankful heart can change your entire perspective and outlook on life. One of the best ways to experience the power of thanksgiving is through prayer and counting your blessings. Even when the going gets tough (or your glass doors are covered with handprints) you can experience blessings. When we offer a prayer of thanks to God, our focus shifts from our problems to our blessings. And that’s the beauty of faith – we can experience gratitude and give thanks despite the circumstances and storms that surround us.

So here’s the question…

How do we learn to have a heart of thanksgiving? 

Count your blessings!! 

Like the hymn says:

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

So when I count my blessings and see what God has done in my life…I have a heart of thanksgiving.

I want to share a few of my blessings :

#10 Sunrises and sunsets at the farm. 

There’s just something majestic about seeing a sunrise from your front porch with coffee in hand. And walking my fur baby, Nala in the evening and watching the sun race down and light up the sky… Thank you Jesus!

#9 Our farm! 

Larry farms land that his great grandfather homesteaded in the late 1800’s. Lots of blood, sweat and tears have gone into The Lutrick Farms. And with the drought that has affected us the last 3 years, we still look at our farm and life as a blessing from The Lord! Thank you, Jesus, for always meeting our needs.

#8 My health. 

As I get older, I count it a blessing that I feel good and have no major health issues. I may be a little slower getting up from the floor while playing with my grandbabies BUT I get up! Thank you, Jesus!

#7 A good cup of coffee! 

I’m kinda a coffee snob; I like my flavored coffee … just black!! It’s a simple blessing but one of my favorite things is to wake up and have my coffee. I even love a good cup of coffee after dinner! Right now, I’m loving my Pumpkin Spice, Dark Chocolate Hazelnut and Wild Blueberry …just to name a few!

#6 My front porch!

 It’s one of my favorite places to hang out unless it’s extremely hot or windy! Sitting on the porch you can see as far as the eye can see- It’s full of wildflowers, butterflies, hummingbirds (sometimes), and in the evening you can see stars, moon, planets and even the Lubbock lights. Country living at its best!

#5 My life group. 

Our Life Group is full of loving people, caring people, funniest story tellers, best cooks, prayer warriors and they all have a heart for The Lord! I’m blessed by each member. 

 “A friend loves at all times” Proverbs 17:17

#4 My Church. 

My blessings are overflowing from the people in my church. I’m blessed to serve others, pray for others, be loved by others, hear God’s word and get the best hugs at my church!! 

HCF- Love Jesus- Love People!

#3 My grandkids and family!

I’ve written about it before, in a past blog “This is my circus and these are my monkeys” and I wouldn’t have it any other way!!  8 out of my 9 grandchildren live close by and I see them as much as possible and can watch them grow up.  My three kids love Jesus and have been blessed with wonderful spouses. And most of my extended family live nearby, so we get to see each other often!  I’m truly blessed with a wonderful family.

#2 My husband. Larry is my best friend, he loves Jesus, he works hard, he’s a gentle giant with the grandkids, and loves me unconditionally even when I have crazy ideas. I count Larry as one of my best blessings because God put two imperfect people together, drew us closer to Him and now through the power and authority of Jesus Christ- our lives are transformed and His forever. I love doing life with Grumpy!

#1 My Jesus!

God rescued me and transformed my heart, mind and actions. He has become my “go to” person when I have any questions, struggles, fears, prayer needs or just need to bounce off my crazy ideas. He truly is my friend, my rescuer, my healer, my Lord and Savior. 

So as I count my blessings and see what the Lord has done in me and for me my only response is a heart of thanksgiving. I read that Satan is defeated when we have a thankful heart because thankfulness during difficulty is a sacrifice pleasing to God. So when the going gets tough… count your blessings and build a heart of thanksgiving.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Guy Penrod (Gaither Vocal Band) singing Count Your Blessings!

We want to thank Bambi Lutrick for sharing this post.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

It took me a long time to understand that this verse was saying IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances.  

Five years ago I found out I had breast cancer.  Though I wasn’t thankful for the cancer, I had many things to be thankful for.  I was so very thankful that it was me and not some other member of my family.  I had the fact that it was found quickly and was treatable with surgery and radiation.  God gave me total peace in the situation and I was thankful that I could feel His presence throughout the whole ordeal. 

I had two dear friends who were going through breast cancer during the time I was.  One of those friends and I made the trip to Lubbock every day to have radiation together.  This was a special time of fellowship and drawing strength from each other.  Her cancer was aggressive and after lots of chemotherapy, she eventually passed away.  I never heard her complain, even when the cancer broke her back.  My other friend with cancer also passed away after much suffering.  Sometimes I feel guilty that I was allowed to live and they weren’t.  However, sometimes I am jealous because they fought the good fight and won the race.  They kept the faith and received the prize.  I’m so thankful for both of these sweet friends and all the special memories I have of them.  They were both an inspiration to many.

According to Psalm 69, Thanksgiving is a sacrifice on the altars of our hearts. At times, we won’t feel thankful, but it is in those moments that grateful hearts will become the most pleasing sacrifices to the Lord.

This past week, my sweet 39 year old cousin died of cancer.  It was such a sad time, but even in those times of mourning as the family and friends gathered around each other to offer comfort, there were so many sweet memories of Brandi that we could all be so thankful for.  And we could be thankful that God lent her to us for 39 years.  Sometimes thanksgiving is a sacrifice, but in all circumstances there is something to be thankful for. Brandi touched so many lives and even more so as she was faithful to the end.

A heart of thanksgiving will give us strength in seasons of sorrow and pain.  And thanksgiving grows stronger the more it is practiced. 

It’s easy to be thankful when everything seems to be going well.  The sacrifice comes when we make a conscious effort to be thankful.

Colossians 3:17  “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

When you begin to count your blessings, you find that there are so very many things to be thankful for.

We want to thank Naomi Jones for sharing this post.

“I come to Your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders.”  Psalm 26:6b-7

When I was growing up, my mom and dad put a lot of emphasis on good manners:  saying, “Please” and “Thank you,” “Yes ma’am,” “No ma’am,” and such things as these.  Because of that, I’m very conscious of the need to be thankful, not just at Thanksgiving time, but year-round.  These days, though, it’s not just good manners that has me feeling thankful.  The older I get, the more I find that I am counting my blessings, and there are so many!  Do you mind if I share a few with you?

I’m thankful that there was a woman and a man back in 1960 who wanted a baby, but had not been successful, so they worked it out to adopt a baby girl.  I count that as a big, big blessing.

I’m thankful that my mother decided she needed to raise us in church (yes, “us” – she had a baby boy after she got me), so we were “dragged” to St. Matthew Methodist Church every Sunday, V.B.S., youth camp, you name it!

I’m so thankful for the gospel!  Thankful that there is a God who wants us to know Him!  Thankful that he reached me after I rebelled.  I count that blessing every day.

I’m grateful for my wonderful husband, who has put up with me for all these 37 years.  Beyond grateful for two beautiful babies who arrived after two miscarriages.  

As I count my blessings, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for all the godly friends I have known over the years, in several different churches.  There are many friends who have gone on to heaven, but that’s another blessing counted, because there they will be when it’s my turn.  

I’m grateful and thankful to have worked for the past 25 years at the same school where I student taught and where my children went to school.  I love my school family with all my heart, including those who have since moved to other schools or have graduated to heaven.

Grandchildren – all 4, our hometown of Plainview, life and health, our church, the blessings just go on and on!

How about you?  As you have read my list, what blessings popped into your head?  

The news media likes for us to concentrate on all the ills and troubles round about us.  However, I’ve noticed that the more I count my blessings, the less the troubles of the world impact me.  

In this season of Thanksgiving, I pray that you are overwhelmed with gratitude for what God has done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He will do in the future.  

         “For all that You’ve done I will thank You, for all that You’re going to do,

         For all that You’ve promised and all that You are, and all that You’ve carried me through,

         Jesus, I thank You!”

Happy Thanksgiving!

We want to thank Sheri Warren for sharing this post.

I had a friend text me today just to check in on me.  She knows I have been growing (yes, growing, not going) through a season right now. It was a simple text, just saying she was thinking about me and my family and wanted to see how we were doing. At this point in my life, I have several friends that text me and that I text just to have a quick check in with them. This was not always the case for me, and it was something I prayed for often only a few years ago. 

Making friends as an adult can be so difficult. Most of us want someone with similar interests, but someone who will also introduce us to new things. If a person is married or has kids, it’s easier if their friends are married and/or have kids. Location is definitely a plus too.

A few years ago, I had a lot of people I referred to as “work friends,” meaning, we were friends because we worked at the same location, spent many hours together, and because of that we had some similar interests. Those “work friends” were important, but not the kind of friends that text me to just check in on me. 

A few years back I was going through some “growing pains” and realized I didn’t have close friends to lean on. No one texting me to check in on me. I felt alone. My husband was always willing to listen, but I needed a female’s perspective. I wanted friends. Not just one, but a group. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Verse 12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

This is what I wanted for times when I was being attacked by the enemy. I no longer wanted to feel broken or defeated. The enemy knows that we are most vulnerable when we are alone. He tries all kinds of tactics to separate us, make us feel alone or unwanted. The feeling I had of “being too much” or that sharing my problems would be a burden to others, were lies from the enemy.  So, I began praying about having friends I felt comfortable being vulnerable around. Friends who would want to celebrate my birthday with me. Friends who would text me just to check in on me. Friends raising their kids in a similar way, whom my kids would enjoy playing with. 

Not only did I pray, but my husband and I decided we needed to invest our time in making friends as well. This meant inviting people to our home for a meal, meeting at the park, and joining a life group. Trying to make adult friends truly felt like dating again. Seeing if the family was a ‘good fit’. God answered my prayers with a quiver full of friends to call on and to celebrate. God doesn’t want us to be alone in our battles. He wants us to link arms, fight together, and sometimes cry together. This takes prayer, time investment, and vulnerability. It’s worth every bit though.

We want to thank Chelsea Criswell for sharing this post.

What does friendship look like?

Identifying the beauty and joy in friendships can come with ease, but putting in the effort to maintain and steward our friendships takes intentionality and effort.

We are created for community. God created us not to be isolated beings, but rather people who live life together. The primary way that we as Christians live in community is by belonging to the church. 

²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

When we are in close relationships with other believers, we have people to pray for us, support us, encourage us, and serve alongside us, and in return we have people that we can pray for and minister to. If you are new to the church, come early to the gatherings and stay late, engaging in conversations. Jump into a life group. Meaningful relationships can take time to develop but keep trying.

A demonstration of a great friendship and love for their friend was the four men going to see Jesus’ teaching, but the crowd was so large, they had to carry their paralyzed friend’s mat to the roof, where they dug a hole and lowered their friend right in front of Jesus. Jesus healed the man, and he jumped up and walked off. (Mark 2: 1-12)

What an extraordinary measure of friendship.  

It doesn’t always take such a grandiose gesture. It can be sending a card or a knowing smile or hand squeeze. The older I get, the more grateful I am for God’s most treasured gift of friendship. I’m so thankful for the genuine women in my life whom I never have to question. They just show up in every way. This is one of my most treasured gifts.

We want to thank Julie Duke for sharing this post.