Best Friend Archives -

Help! I Need a Friend!

Won’t You be My Friend?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7

Yesterday, I met with an author friend for a brief chat over coffee at 9:30 AM. (We had talked about meeting for months.) I knew she needed encouragement. What I failed to realize is how great my personal need was as well.

We chatted and prayed and cried and laughed. We prayed and cried and … you get the picture! Like the tiny kitty, we were helpless on our own; we needed a shoulder to cry on.

Two little girls across the room kept watching us and smiling back. With their Mom’s permission, I gave each of them a Little Bible to put in their pockets. And my friend and I continued to pray and cry and …

Soon, the mother came to our table to introduce herself and tell us she had just started selling Tupperware. As we exchanged information, she signed up for my newsletter and thanked me again for the girls’ Bibles. And I’m thinking, “I don’t need any Tupperware, however…”

As my friend and I prepared to leave, we made a date for next week—same time, same place. We vowed to pray for one another as we work toward our goals. For the record, our “brief chat” ended at 1:30 PM! (I accomplished more at home the next three hours than I would have done all day without the four-hour meeting!)

Do you have a friend like that? Someone you can confide in? A safe place to share your deepest fears and shortcomings? Someone who will lift you up in prayer? I challenge you to take time (MAKE time) for meaningful relationships.

The ultimate BFF is Jesus. He never leaves us. Do you know Him, really know Him?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hugs,

Susie

How Wide is Your Friendship Circle?

Some of My Church Friends

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9

Yes, friendships do refresh the soul. My friendship circle includes family, friends from school, workplaces, and church.

However, if not careful, my circle of friends will be only those in my church or community that think as I do. Comfy folk. They will mostly agree with my beliefs and choices in life. Easy, breezy!

To learn more about what the Bible says about friendships, click here.

Because of my stubborn will and Southern Baptist heritage, I have strong convictions on many issues that vary between denominations. A very strict, rural upbringing adds to my opinionated mindset. Over the past few years, God has expanded my friendship circle, and I am eternally grateful.

Each month I meet for brunch or lunch with Evelyn. She and her husband co-pastor an Assembly of God church. Also, I frequently enjoy fellowship with Vicki, a Methodist pastor. I learn from them, I pray they learn from me. We are working to find ways to share Jesus as we meet needs in our communities. We each seek to know and to do God’s will for us as individuals and for our church families. We do not try to ‘convert’ one another to our beliefs. I treasure our prayer times and our friendships.

Every few weeks I meet with Sarah. She is half my age, and her dress and demeanor are quite worldly. She doesn’t know Jesus as her personal Savior; she has no interest in knowing Him. However, we share some common goals and interests and learn from one another. Sarah knows I pray before meals and often has a request for me to include in my prayer. God is at work in her life.

Being an author and writer, some of my friendship circles include guys and gals who do not have Jesus as their first priority, if at all! Sometimes, the stories they are working on can stir my heart to quietly pray for them. But, here’s the thing. I learn from them. As I get to know them better, I grow in understanding our communities better. Hopefully, I will become not only a better writer but a better person because of their friendships.

So, I have to ask you. How wide is your friendship circle? Are you ready to ask God who He wants you to include? Has he pricked your heart just now with the name or face of one who really, really needs a friend?

Please, pray for me as I continue to grow and seek God’s will in all I do. Praying for you, dear friend is a joy. And, I look forward to the day when you call for that friendship coffee.

Sending hugs and prayers,

Spending August with My Best Friend

Breakfast Outside with My Best Friend as A Few Friends Gather

A new month has dawned; time to refresh my goals, to begin again. Somehow, as I peruse my well-organized August calendar, I’d rather go back to bed! The zeal I had making my endless lists vanished after another sleepless night.

July was hard, really hard. Too hot. Too dry. Too many final goodbyes. Too many unfinished tasks. Endless decisions to make, more paperwork to decipher.

“Come unto me all you that are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” From Jesus in Matthew 11:30

My Best Friend is Jesus. He tugs gently at my heavy heart and lovingly reminds me I have a choice this day and every day. It’s a choice. I MUST choose every hour of every day to follow Him.

“OK, Susie Girl! Wash your face! Comb your unruly hair. Dress! Take your breakfast and morning coffee outside and start the day with Jesus.”

The cool morning air awakens my spirit. Butterflies dance amid the fragrant flowers showing off their colors. Soft breezes turn my thoughts to brighter days; peace fills my hungry soul.

I challenge you to spend time in God’s Word. Here are some wonderful, comforting words to begin with.

Despair turned into rejoicing as Best Friend Jesus reminded me of July’s blessings. As Kitty nudges my legs for cuddles, Jesus floods my hungry heart with gentle reminders of how God had truly blessed my July. I could write a book of the many times I “just happened” to choose to eat where God had someone for me to meet.

For instance, I attended Springfield Writer’s Guild for the first time in a year. Why now? Because earlier in the week God orchestrated a chance meeting with a couple in town for lunch. Turns out she’s an author and wanted a friend to go with to guild meetings! It’s God’s Amazing Grace!

Prayers for God’s blessing on individual churches are reaping benefits as at least five had baptisms (many adults) this month!

A momma’s tear-filled “thank-you” as her little rowdy boys settled down in the cafe with their new tiny Bibles.

I can’t explain how my adjusted income wraps around these endless bills, let alone allows me to continue my Little Bible and candy/tract ministries. But it does. My income changed, but not my giving and God continues to bless.

Count your blessings. Spend quality time this August with My Friend. His love for you is immeasurable.

PLEASE, drop me a note at the bottom of this article. Praying for God’s Peace in your heart.

Hugs,

I am so thankful for a few acres of beautiful trees and wildlife. Only God could have arranged this!