My thoughts of late...
This picture says it all...really?
Many of my peer group have gone home to be with Jesus recently.
It's tough to say "Good-bye" to so many wonderful memories of sweet fellowship throughout the years.
It's a blessing to have 30, 40, and 50+ years of friendship with them. Now, it hits as I realize they've gone. They're with Jesus. No more phone calls, texts, coffee talks and times spent enjoying the richness of their friendship.
As I ponder their passing I'm eternally grateful I've had so many amazing lifetime friends leaving their imprint on my life.
One of my goals in this lap of my race is to continue imparting friendship and memories, to leave my imprint on the lives of those still coming up in life, to leave a legacy of rich relationship for them to experience, as I have had, the joy of sweet times together.
Really?
Yes, time goes by so quickly.
People come, people go, but the blessings of the Lord makes us rich.
Richness comes through relationships.
Life's true treasure.
Sadly, some don't realize the rich treasure of friendships and let little foxes spoil the vine and discontinue fellowship.
Instead of saying, let's grab a coffee or go out for lunch or dinner and strengthen the love between us, they fall away and lose out on the depth that comes through heart to heart conversations.
In life you will pour yourself into some and then on a dime, they'll leave. Jesus experienced that and so will you and I at times.
Yes, it's tough, it hurts, but don't let it stop you from continuing to pour yourself into others.
Ecc. 11 talks about keep on casting your bread upon the waters. Keep on giving yourself because that's where the blessing comes back to you time and again.
Really?
Yes, curve balls come our way. But keep the main thing the main thing. Love people, receive people, enjoy people...serve them for in so doing you are serving Jesus.
Why do some short-circuit relationships and cut them off?
Some people have to grow up, some have to experience humbling times before they return, others are unaware of the value of long-term relationships so they squander them not realizing it takes a long time to build long-time friendships.
So, in my midnight musings, I'm missing some dear friends. AND yet, the cherished memories soften the blow and the joy of knowing we'll share eternity together...is sweet to the soul.
Yes, really? Life is precious. Friendships are priceless.
Treasure them now, for you don't know when their appointed time to leave has arrived.
Then, it's too late for that "one-more-talk" that "one-more-time-together."
So pick up the phone, get together, enjoy some walk-n-talks and strengthen the lives of those around you.
Really? Yes, REALLY!
Dr. Judy Bauer aka "Mama J"