I'm so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and loving care. He continues to be my closest friend and provides for all of my needs. I'm also thankful for the blessing of many special friends. As I was thinking about friendships, the Lord brought Ruth and Naomi to my mind. Naomi's husband as well as her sons had died. She encouraged her daughter-in-law, Ruth to go back to her people and her gods. Ruth 1:16-17 "But Ruth replied, Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." That's what I would call true friendship. The summary of their relationship given in my Bible was so good at reminding me that with God at the center in any relationship it will flourish even when the people involved are very different. From the summary: "We know more about Ruth and Naomi's relationship than about them as individuals. In an age that worships individualism, their stories become models of good relationships. Naomi and Ruth are beautiful examples of this blending of lives. Their cultures, family backgrounds, and ages were very different. As mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, they probably had as many opportunities for tension as for tenderness. And yet they were bound to each other. They shared deep sorrow, great affection for each other, and an overriding commitment to the God of Israel." The key to their closeness is a reminder to all of us: "God was at the center of their intimate communication. Ruth came to know the God of Israel through Naomi. The older woman allowed Ruth to see, hear and feel all the joy and anguish of her relationship to God. How often do you feel that your thoughts and questions about God should be left out of a close relationship? How often do you share your unedited thoughts about God with your spouse and friends? Sharing openly about our relationship with God can bring depth and intimacy to our relationships with others." The lesson we can learn from their lives is that "God's living presence in a relationship overcomes differences that might otherwise create division and disharmony."
I have certainly found that in my relationships with friends and family. Just a side note to you ladies who still have your husbands. I would encourage you to talk about Jesus together, to read His Word and pray together. He will bless your relationship in more ways than you can imagine as you make Him the center of it!! Ty and I didn't do that nearly enough because we let other things take priority. Oh what I would give now to have those opportunities back--nothing else we were doing was more important than spending time with Jesus together! It's such a joy and encouragement to get together with friends and family and talk about what Jesus is doing in our lives and what He is teaching us. As I've shared often here, life is so empty and meaningless when your focus is on things, money, and worldly success (which was my focus for so many years). There is nothing wrong with those things as long as they don't become your focus over an intimate relationship with Jesus. Only He can bring you contentment, peace and joy. Then when He blesses you with friendships like Ruth and Naomi's where Jesus is at the center it's like that yummy cup of coffee with lots of whipped cream on top!
Our best friend, of course, should be our Lord and Savior. The day He reminded me about Ruth and Naomi, He also led me to Psalm 25:14. "The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them." To fear the Lord is to have reverence for Him. My life application Bible says that "It's also to recognize Him for who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all-knowing, all-powerful and all-wise. God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who revere Him, who hold Him in highest honor. What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? Your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you respect and honor Him." Take it from me, the one who for so long didn't make my relationship with Jesus my #1 priority, having Him there now as my Savior, Father, husband, best friend and counselor affects every other aspect of my life for the better helping me to appreciate even more my relationships with family and friends as well as all the little and big blessings He gives me each day. I agree with Paul when he says in Philippians 4:11 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Choosing to put Him first every day is the key to that contentment and nothing is better than that.
My heart overflows with thankfulness for all of my precious family and friends. I'm trusting that Jesus will remind each of you this month of His faithfulness and overwhelming love for you. I just love Him so much!!!
I've chosen "All of Creation" by Mercy Me to share with you today. As the song says, I challenge you to lay your burden down today. Let Jesus carry you, and praise Him for all His many blessings.
On a silly note: the kid in me loved the elephant toward the end of the video. Hopefully it will make you smile!
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