For the longest time I had been asking God to send me someone who was like me. I need to explain… I’ve been running a Support Group for people who have chronic illness/physical disabilities now for almost five years. I’ve been connected with, and have ministered to many wonderful women over that time. But there was always something missing – I never met anyone with a similar disability, or with limitations even remotely close to mine. I guess I really needed to connect with someone who truly understood what it’s like having to deal with limitation upon limitation; someone who knows what it’s like to lose much of what is dear to them; someone who has been traveling down the same road; someone who understands what it’s like to persevere under really hard circumstances; someone to connect with spiritually; someone that has a common heart with a similar world view and passion. Please don’t misunderstand… I absolutely love each person God had entrusted me to minister to, and most of them have ministered to me in return!
If there were friends I could choose
Just one friend I could never lose
Of all the friends there could ever be
You are the friend I’d choose for me
For you have proven your love for me
And when I was wrong you helped me see
The wisdom of God through loving eyes
Not through ones that criticize
Dearest friend whom I love so much
I ask my Father for a special touch
Upon your home, your life, your past
And for a friendship that will always last
This beautiful framed poem was a Birthday gift from my friend, who was sent by the mercy of God to my group one year ago. It’s like our souls were knit together; we can talk and talk to each other with a true respect and most importantly, true understanding. My Birthday isn’t until December 22, but our group won’t meet again till January 4th. She surprised me with a Birthday cake… how incredibly thoughtful!
So this life experience inspires me to study “The Essentials of True Friendship.” For the next day or so, we’ll be looking at the friendship between David and Jonathan. We all know there are friends… and then there are friends.
More to come…
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