Changing Friendships….

When I reflect on the friendships I had when Dan died along with those I had met over the years, it seems they belong in categories.  Just thinking about this, it brings back good, bad and some sad memories.  However, I wanted to reflect on this as we need to take a look at those who are our good friends and those who were only in our lives for a while.  I’m not saying this is a good or bad thing, but a way to reflect with things just being the way they are.

Most of us had friends who were couples which is/was terrific.  Others of us had separate friends – I had separate girlfriends and Dan had separate guy friends.  Seldom did we do separate things and if it was, it was a coffee, a lunch or a movie.   We treasured the things we did together as a couple and with other couples.  May you remember that God is your intercessor.  In Job 16:20-21 reads:   My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man, he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.

I often hear from widows that no longer have separate friends, as the friends they had before, were friends of their husbands who passed away.    However, as these friends seem to drift away, they feel as though they are left alone.  When I observe these sweet ladies along their journey, I watch how other widows begin to walk by their side.  Before long, they are walking along the side of another new widow. 

There is a great old hymn by the name of ‘Great is they Faithfulness.’  I often think of this hymn when I am questioning God.  This hymn reminds me that God is great and is by my side at all times regardless if I think He is or not.  The lyrics of this hymn are:

 1, Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; 
there is no shadow of turning with thee; 
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; 
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Refrain: 
Great is thy faithfulness! 
Great is thy faithfulness! 
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed thy hand hath provided–
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness 
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, 
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, 
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

This hymn is written based on Laminations 3:22- 24 which reads:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”

I know it isn’t easy when we are down and out or we feel as though we do not have a close friend to share what we are going with.  Rest assured that God is always with us!

We may need to remember that:

• You may feel second or third to anyone else and think no one notices.  It’s amazing how someone will step up to the plate that you had no clue who they were.
• You may go several days without hearing another human voice.  James 1:27 reads: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). Scripture encourages Christians to visit the widows and orphans. 
• As we go through this new journey, what is God asking of you?  What are your gifts which you can share with other.  This may be a little early in your journey to consider, but I would encourage you to discover where God would have you serve as a healing process for you. 

May you honor those who have been in your life and the new friends you are meeting along the way.  My prayer is you will find that special friend if you are feeling lonely.  I know this sound cheesy, however, God is ALWAYS with you.  May you find peace in Him!

Blessings to each of you my friends…