...a good friend

It's no coincidence, in just passing Thanksgiving, that I'm about to post something I am thankful for. I try to always keep a good mind of such things, but around this time it just seems to grow. 

There is too much for me to name all in one post of what I'm thankful for, God in my life being at the very top of said list. The thing I'm thinking of right now though...is friendship.

I've never thought of myself as a good friend...but I have had and do have many good friends. Some live a few states away and others, thankfully, only minutes. This darling group of people and I share some really great...and some rather odd similarities. Bubble tea and books; food and pet peeves; gardening and music...and more food...but mostly I can say the one thing we all have in common is a love and desire to grow closer to God. That makes a friendship priceless in my book.

I did a quick search for a few quotes on friendship from people who have a little more practice than I in finding the proper words to express what they are feeling. So for that odd but lovely group of friends I have out there...these are dedicated to you.

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.” 
― Alfred Tennyson

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” 
― Aristotle

“Silence make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying, but the never needing to say that counts.” 
― Margaret Lee Runbeck

“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.” 
― Jon Katz

The Perfect Storm

So let the storms rage high, let dark clouds rise

They won't worry me, for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God

He walks with me, and not of earth can harm me

For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

These words...I can't explain the peace they bring to me. Friends, the world around us is getting worse every day. There are a lot of bad things out there that I don't even know about. 

One thing I do know is that my rock, Jesus Christ, is standing by my side holding me up with everything around me crumbles. I pray each person makes the choice to know Him, because He is our only safety in this life.

I chose the title "The Perfect Storm" because every storm that comes our way is perfectly fit for us, to make us stronger, to bring us closer to God...but even more than that we have a perfect friend and savior that anchors us in His Word to keep us safe.

Oh it humbles me so, dear friends. I couldn't get through a day in this life without Him. My living God. My prayer is that everyone comes to know Him the way I do. He has changed me in every way and is making me into what He wants me to be. 

Praise God.

Just like the story of Jesus calming the storm on the boat with his disciples. He is here to be the calm in our storm. 

Matthew 8: 23 - 27