Friends . . .

Source: heartstringscards.com via Nancy on Pinterest

Though meetings may be far apart and years roll in between. Time can never change true friendship. It is evergreen. Affection that has stood the test of life's experience . . . the love of one who never doubts and never takes offence . . . This is God's most precious gift, and as our way we wend . . . we find the greatest thing of all if we can find a friend.
~Patience Strong

I had a fabulous day yesterday with two precious souls, Sheilagh and Trish. Sheilagh I have known for a few years now and Trish I am just getting to know . . . but both feel like kindred spirits. You know the kind of friend that is . . .

A kindred spirit friend is one who you feel an instant kinship with . . . they feel like someone you have always known and always will. Your spirits connect one to one . . . they are the best kind of friends to have.

My mother was not a woman who had a lot of friends. I can only ever remember one or two through the years, although now . . . in her dotage . . . she has a lot of friends, and my heart delights to hear her speaking of them. It is wonderful to see my mother through the eyes of her friends . . . and pretty wonderful as well to now BE her friend. It is a relationship that is sacred and special and one that I hold so very dear and close to my heart.



Of course my biggest, bestest and dearest friend has always been my sister, Cindy! When we were growing up we probably didn't think that we would ever feel that way about each other . . . but it is plain to see that from the very beginning we were special to each other, even if I did tell my mom to take her back to the hospital and leave her there! (What did I know! I was three!) She has always been there for me, and supportive of every decision I have ever made . . . even the bad ones. I think that is the treasure and the measure of a true friend . . . they may not always agree with your choices, but they're always there to pick you up when you fall, without an "I told you so!"

I think friends are so very important in life. My friends are important in my life . . . I like to think of my good friends as being family you get to choose for yourself! Friendship is a rich embroidery on the tapestry of our lives. They make what is good, even better. A day in which you have gotten to share a hearty laugh with a good friend . . . is a day in which you have struck pure gold. Laughter shared between friends is such a special gift.

I love all my friends . . . they come in many shapes and sizes, all ages and live in many places. That is the beauty of the internet these days . . . you get to connect and meet with so many wonderful people from all over the world. Tis really quite amazing, and my life has been blessed countless times by these "Invisible friends" . . . and to think my mother thought my invisible friends were just imaginations! Perhaps at one time they were . . . but now they are much more than that, and I have been blessed several times with being able to turn invisible friends into "real life" friends. It's just so amazing!



My husband is also my friend . . . Todd and I share an easy companionship, one which is satisfying on many different levels. I don't think that is a kind of relationship that I ever shared with my last husband . . . sadly. Were it so, we may never have parted. Todd and I have not only a deep and abiding love for each other, but mutual respect and admiration . . . we enjoy each other. We enjoy doing things together. We "get" each other in every way. We understand each other completely . . . and we tolerate things from each other that we could never tolerate from anyone else. I know my frontseat "backseat" driving pushes all his buttons . . . and I try not to do it . . . but he hasn't thrown me out of the car yet or banned me from travelling with him! That is a true friend.



Of course the biggest and most important friend I have and have ever had is the Saviour. He has always been there for me, even when I didn't know He was . . . it took a very long time for me to realize that special relationship that we share . . . but when I did, and I looked back at my life I could clearly see that He had been by my side since the beginning, and that He always would be. I can tell Him anything and everything, and I know that no matter what or how . . . His love for me is true and pure. I may disappoint Him from time to time . . . but He always forgives a repentant heart, and I know that to be true. He loves me with a perfect love, and I am so very grateful for that . . . but most of all He loves me enough that He chose to die for me, so that I might live again. As incomprehensible as a love like that may be, I know that it is true and ever will be . . .

That kind of love and friendship is pretty hard to beat . . . I wish everyone could feel it the way I do.

“When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf



I wish you all have a very blessed Sunday today and that you smile, smile . . . smile. Remember the Saviour loves YOU, and I do too!



Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . some quick, easy and delicious Ugly Bars!