eyes.to.See - friendship

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Proverbs 16:24

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

Proverbs 12:25

Friendship.

'Be kind to your friends' - our exhortation for kindness towards those around us led me to think about teaching my sons about friendship.  Friends are an important part of your life.  Not only because they can lift you up, but because they can also lead you astray.

I tried to tell my boys as we went to visit some dear friends of ours last week, that a 'friend from birth' is a special thing.  You won't have very many of those in your life, and if you are lucky enough to have even one, than it is something to be thankful for.

Friendship seems to be a more difficult lesson - why is it important?  How can I be a good friend?  What do I do when people don't want to be my friend?  I feel as if this topic will continue to be quite a doozy as our boys grow.

It is lovely to chose their friends when they are young.  Their friends are my friends' children.  And then they start school, and then Tball, and their friends are kids that I don't know or have any idea about.  I am confident that the lessons will shift from a focus on being kind, to how to manage relationships as they grow older.  Oh how much I hope to grow before those days of 'bad influences'.  I will have many more chances to practice trusting the Lord for my sons' safety & wisdom.  Oh how much it already scares me even when they are toddlers!

"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."

Proverbs 12:26

As soon as the progression of my thoughts begins to turn into fear of the unknown & fear of the future & all that I cannot and will not be able to control... I just have to stop.  and call on Jesus.  And ask Him to take care of my sons & give them wisdom & protect them from the things that lead them astray.

Lord thank you for friendship.  For all the blessings that a true friend can bring.  Thank you for giving us kindness to give away to those around us.  Help us to be good friends, and me most Lord.  Help my boys as they grow.  Thank you for loving them even more than I do.  Amen.