“A friend loves at all times but a brother is born of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
Early February my husband and I were headed back to NJ for our best man’s 50th birthday party. I was excited to be reunited with old friends. Some of whom we had not seen in 20 years! I am sure you know the feeling. Has that much time gone by? We can not believe we are that old. Keith, that is my husband, was anxious. Stepping back in his mind meant seeing his partying days. “I am not that man anymore,” he said. I understood all he was saying but instead of thinking negatively I told him to look at it as an opportunity to speak life. God will lead the conversations. The party was fun. We had a great time up until 3 am, laughter, oh my goodness, my tummy was sore, and my cheeks hurt from smiling. One of his buddies said repeatedly, “I love love.” On the way back home we reviewed conversations and both of us made note of that comment. Those boys who are men now are brothers. And the connections were born through each of us struggling to find love.
God does not want our connections to fade. And evidence of that was a few nights ago. Keith was awoken at 2 am, a call to pray. He told me he had been thinking of his buddy. Prompting. So he stepped out in faith and sent him a link to his favorite sermon, the very sermon of personal revelation for Keith on the true love of Jesus. The day passed by and around dinner time Keith called me to say that his friend listened to the sermon. I could tell by the sound of his voice he was elated. He said the response was, ” I laughed, I cried, I prayed” Thank you brother.
The qualities of a true friend are best exemplified in Jesus. Keith originally ended his text with I am cheering you on! I am blessed the man I get to walk this life with loves LOVE, heart, soul, mind and strength. I am sharing this to cheer you on today the source of all encouragement is the one who paid it all for you and I, Jesus. Born of adversity He is the great I LOVE YOU.
Two girls in the woods for ONE feeling cheered on!
