Joy: Week 3 - Day 2
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear God, we come to you today ready to rest in your presence and learn from your word. Grant us wisdom and peace for our day. Amen.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”
REFLECT:
I've been lucky enough in my life to experience a few really incredible friendships. Not friendships of proximity or convenience or shared interest, but hard-fought friendships that have weathered hard times. My husband and I have some long-time friends that fit this description. We were friends before marriage, before kids, before hard job changes, and before busy-ness and chaos took over our lives! Last year, which feels like at least ten years ago, I had a very tough year emotionally. I was physically tired and emotionally weary and struggling daily. Despite the fact that these friends are busy with jobs and family, they spent valuable time with us on several occasions just listening to the pain and helping to shoulder the burden. We prayed together, they offered encouragement, and also just commiserated with us (a long-lost art form these days). Oftentimes, we don't need someone to recite tired Christian platitudes AT us - we just need someone to lament WITH us! My family is eternally grateful to have friends like this.
APPLY:
Think back on your life, whether it has been relatively short or wonderfully long, and recall the friends that stand the test of time. Take a moment to send an email, text, or real-life pen and paper note to thank them for their friendship. Offer prayers of thanksgiving for these rare friends.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, we are so thankful for faithful friends who help us up when we’re feeling down. May our eyes always be open to the pain of others so that we can offer them love. Amen.
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