“An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.” Proverbs 24:26
If I counted all the people who are willing to tell me there is spinach stuck in my teeth, I believe depression would hit as I realized the scarcity of real friendship.
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2 comments:
Kathy, count me in as one of those friends!! You're the best!
Jess
I appreciate your encouragement on my blog, the other day. I am thankful for a friend who won't tell me that I shouldn't be depressed. I think it is always meant well when others say to not be depressed, but lacks the true intent of what is said. People don't want you to be depressed, so they try to cheer you up with stuff. I have learned to take it and appreciate it, but it is rare and appreciated when someone says, "God bless you, it is okay to be depressed." You have earned a spot in my heart for that.
I am thankful that people of my generation have brought you some encouragement, and I am thankful to be one of them. Maybe it is because I live on the "left coast" of the US that I do not share the same optimism. But, the great God and Father that was on the throne 100 years, 1,000 years, and 10,000 years ago, even into infinity past, is still on the throne today, and He will be tomorrow too :) He will bring about His purposes in His time, and no faithless generation can alter that!
I would encourage you that letting you know that you have spinach in your teeth goes deeper than the idea of friendship. It goes to the very core of how genuine an individual is. I hardly know you, but I'd tell you just because I am that way. I'd want you to do the same for me, even if we just met. But I wouldn't think lesser of a brother or sister who wouldn't say anything because they are timid (if they just met you that is). Some people just are. I share your consternation with having "real" friends. I can't count any that I don't have in the blogosphere, other than my wife. I don't say that about my wife lightly either. You don't go through what we've been through together and come out the other side the way we have without forging that kind of a strong bond. That said, I don't know if how genuine an individual is can impact the depth of your friendship with them, but it sure can make you feel like it does, sometimes. They probably love you the best they know, and it feels insufficient at times, much like I'm sure the apostles seemed to Jesus in a much of the gospel (Peter didn't really get his "act" together until "Acts" {chortle, chortle}).
Don't despair, though. David was often friendless, too. Once Jonathan died, that was really kinda it for close friends for the rest of his life. I mean, there were a lot of people who had his affection that lived in the palace, but none like Jonathan.
If you go to my blog, you will find my email address on there written in such a way that keeps it "more" hidden from scammers and phishers. Feel free to drop me a note when you need some encouragement or prayer. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I truly embrace the concept of the family of God, just as was the model of ancient Israel. You are my Sister (capital "s" because it is by the will of God, not by the will of the flesh {via birth}), and I am blessed and honored to know you. Siblings are there for each other when they need it. That is how the church is "supposed" to work, though it seems to rarely. You can count on me.
BTW, if I'm ever in Michigan, I'll check up on your folks. I am hoping to move to South Dakota sooner rather than later, though. I have lots of family from there a couple generations back, and it is quieter there, like Oregon and Washington once were.
Blessings,
Jared
PS I think it's a pine nut, not spinach (LOL)
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