Monday, January 31, 2011

Friendship Blessing

We often take friendships for granted. We often assume that they know how we feel and that we need not contact them or even think to send them a small note.  Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget the importance of a Friendship Blessing.


We know that true friendship is scarce but we also know that people are placed in our lives for so many different reasons. The reasons vary from friend to friend and a true friend is certainly a jewel to find. Sometimes you are given a friend that is there for you day in and day out, other times you are given friends that are around every now.  Other times you make new friends that take the place of friends that are long gone. In any case a Friendship Blessing is special and truly needed in your life.  I can't imagine not being blessed with friends of all types in my life. 


Within the past two days I have had a friend have an accident, thank God he was okay and walked away praising God for protecting him and I have had a friend pass away.  It surely has made me realize the importance of a friend and the role they play in our lives.   I was so saddened to hear of my friend's death & of course wished that I had that one last time to say I love you or it is good to have you as a friend.   Although we didn't talk constantly I knew of her strong presence not only in my life but in the lives of so many others.


It led me to the thought that friends are very important in our lives. It is important to be a friend as it is important to have a friend. I posted a quote on my FB page and it read as such A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart!"  I truly believe that statement. A friend can be more to you at times than a family member.  They can be the ones that can put you right on track when you are off course.  They are the ones that you can count on not to judge you for the things you do apart or the things you do together.  A friend is sometimes there when your family has turned their back on you.  The physical presence of a friend is something special.  The Bible says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24)

Sometimes friends hurt you as well, but because we have the truest of friends in Jesus we know the importance of forgiveness and how it can make a friendship flourish to greater heights.  We know that A wound is always painful, but it may be necessary to correct and so it should be appreciated especially when done in love. "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses" (Proverbs 27:6)  A true friend is always interested in the ultimate and best interests of his friend, not just in temporary ease like the kiss can provide.


I just want to encourage you all to be a true friend. Don't just reach for their hand, truly reach for their heart and be true to each person you call friend. The blessing of friendship creates such a great feeling inside. To all I have called my friends & those who truly know me, know that when I say I am a friend I am friend until the end. In ALL times good or bad that friendship will always be there.  I didn't want another day to go by without expressing that to my friends, and you know exactly who you are.  I appreciate you and love each of you dearly. 


If you have a friend take a moment right now to confess your appreciation and love for that friendship, you just can't wait any longer, don't wait don't hesitate just do it. Be the true friend and reach out and touch a heart.








Be Blessed, Be Encouraged & Be a Blessing!
Racquel







Saturday, January 22, 2011

Life's Ups and Downs I am Resilient

How do you handle the ups and downs that life throws at you? Are you able to rise to the occasion at a moments notice? What types of circumstances do you have trouble coping with at times?


Life has a way of interrupting the best of plans.


We all have ups and downs. Sometimes it seems that there are more downs than there are ups. Sometimes it feels like the downs overtake the ups and it is hard to deal with them.  I know personally how I deal with it has changed a lot over the years. When I was younger, I'd panic when life threw me a downer. I would be upset and crazy and I would mentally scurry around my mind trying to figure out a way to "fix" it. That's not a bad idea but the down side of that is generating all this negative activity alongside it.  You know the questions, why is this happening to me? Why does it always happen to me? Why me? When will I have something good in my life?  Yada yada...





What I had to realize is the "bad" stuff eventually goes away, it always does. Something nice happens, something very positive and wonderful that wipes it out of the memory. It was hard for me to enjoy those times though, because I was always waiting for the other side of the floor to drop. I was in the mindset that good stuff never lasts, something bad is going to happen soon.  What a negative thought pattern. Of course more "bad" stuff is going to happen. That's just the way life is! Although I see it as "bad" at the time it really becomes "life lessons."
I can usually handle a crisis. Growing up, I learned how to put my feelings on hold so that I could function better and think a little more clearly. It's not that I don't have strong feelings about what's happened, it's just that I have to put them away until the worst of the crisis is over. What good is it going to do to get all up in an uproar? I mean who can really make a sensible decision in the midst of an emotional storm? Once it's over and I can release my feelings I usually have some kind of meltdown. Sometimes I sleep. Other times I feel sad or angry.  But the feelings are definitely brought to the surface to be dealt with.
Sometimes I get fed up and have trouble coping with merry-go-round problems. These are the same problems that come up over and over and over. It's clear what needs to be done but the solution is too difficult to implement. What I mean is, I used to want to be the problem solver for my family. I wanted to be the "hero" and I knew all the answers. Well, I knew I didn't but in dysfunctional families it's hard to break out of the stereotypical role.


As I have matured, I've changed the way I handle ups and downs and the wants to "fix" it all after years of negative rollercoaster rides. I pray, not only going down but coming back up as well. On the plummet down, I think,say and believe, "this too shall pass" and when I'm going up, I'm determined to enjoy it to the fullest and not worry about the next plunge.  I work hard to be resilient and resiliency works hard in me.  Ah good old "Resiliency." Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from the ups and downs of life. To be the rubber band that does not break.  To ride out the storm after it knocks you down.  To quickly get back up in a life full of whirlwind changes.






Daily, I am saying to myself, through life's ups and downs, I am resilient! I am Bouncing back from problems, negative things and just junk and stuff with more power and more smarts!  Nothing will ever get me & keep me down!  I have the POWER to keep going!





Racquel,

Be Blessed, Be Encouraged & Be a Blessing!