Bridges of Friendship

They say that, dogs are man's best friend. Well, that might be just dandy for men and I do love my little Pumpkin. However, no dog, no matter how cute or faithful can take the place of a true friendship. Developing lasting relationships has been one of the most treasured and significant highlights of my life. The friends I have in my life are more than friends; they have become family.

Pumpkin

Quote from Good Housekeeping

"There are friends, and there is family,

And then there are friends that become family.

My life has been enriched and inspired by women of various personalities and quality traits. It has been a blessing to have so many women walk with me on my journey here on earth. God has orchestrated each person who has entered my life at just the right time and for just the right season as well as for just the right reason.

Most of my closest friends were established at church or through church activities. I have been in more small groups over the last 41 years than I can count and have built so many lasting friendship along the way. A common characteristic that draws me to a person to begin a relationship is usually their love for God and the Spirit of God that resonates within them.

Women need other women to communicate our feelings, hurts, joys, accomplishments, and our failures. We enjoy laughing, crying, encouraging, inspiring and praying for each other. Finding a common spiritual ground with a true friend is very valuable and worth investing time and energy as you build your bridges of friendship.

* In my opinion developing open relationships is the best way to survive on this lonely,

busy planet and it is worth whatever risk it requires...to build bridges to one another.

Charles Swindoll, Dropping Your Guard

I really think I would be a great poster child for advertising for small groups. They have not only been a source of friendship but in many situations they have been a lifeline for me when I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of despair. With their permission here are two of my sisterhood groups that I am priveledge to share life with.

Tuesday bible study (some of my ladies)

Wednesday bible study group

I have friends that were mysteriously ushered into my life at just the right season that I needed them or just when they needed something that I was able to share with them. God knows exactly what, when, and who we need to enter our atmosphere and His timing is spot on. Some people enter our lives, (as it says in the book of Esther) "For such a time as this."

Can you think back to one specific person, who just happened to enter your life

at a time when you desperately needed a word of

encouragement, help, someone to laugh/cry with

or maybe someone to just smile and compliment you on a bad hair day?

I know I have.

*The greatest thing a man can do for His heavenly Father

is to be kind to some of His other children.

by Henry Drummond

I am a curious person and talkative (duh!), so making friends for me is like an adventure into the unknown. I guess you can say I enjoy God’s kids and want to encourage and help them when I can. I never tire of building bridges of friendship. If my new friend does not know or have Jesus as their best friend, then my desire and goal is to introduce the two of them through love and kindness. You may ask how can I make friends. The answer is below.

Proverbs 18:24

A man who has friends must himself be friendly.

But there is a friend who sticks

closer than a brother.

If you don’t have a close friend, I challenge you to: be one, to seek one, and to develop some solid lasting relationships. People need people, good people that is.

Carrie Liz Jan

Like ones who will let you call them at 3am to share your woes, Flow Young. I thank you.

Proverbs 17:17

Like ones who will listen to you, laugh and cry with you, pray with you, not judge you,

give you a hug, encourage you with the Word and speak life and direction into your spirit.

All of my bible study girls and friends. I thank you. Proverbs 27:17

For those who carry your burdens and share your vision in prayer when God nudges them

at the exact hour and day, you needed help. Terry Andurs and so many other, I thank you.

Galatians 6:2

Like one very generous, obedient, and loving woman, who listened to the voice of God and

basically, saved my life; by giving me her Kidney. Jan Huisman, I thank you. John 15:13

Like countless others who have and still encourage me and push me forward in my

Christian pilgrimage. Carrie, Liz, Diane and other work friends, family, and all my pastors

and leaders. I thank you all. Hebrews 10:24

To quote one of my dearest friends, who is celebrating eternal life now in Heaven, Diana Woerner: “I am of all women most blessed.” She was and she still is "living on" and BLESSED in eternity. I have learned the techniques of building bridges of friendship and I have many wonderful women I call my friends/family. I look forward to my future friendships, as the Lord

instructs me on constructing more bridges.

Last but definitely not least, the only friend

who cared more about her husbands happiness and mine than her own. Till we meet again my friend.

Diana Woerner, I thank you. John 15:13

This Too Shall Pass

When my heart is breaking and my mind is filled with confusion and despair,

when I can’t find an answer to my problems, I just trust that you are there.

When I look at all my troubles and at the world’s turmoil and distress,

I try to hear that still small voice whisper, “Come to Me my child and find your rest".

When all my fears overwhelm my senses and all I want to do is cry,

I run to my prayer closet to commune with you and ask you “ Why?"

When my heart feels heavy and my shoulders are burdened with cares,

I remember that my God is willing and able, to my sorrows, bear.

When I curse the challenges of life that come my way,

I pray that God proves Himself to me again, as He did just yesterday.

When I hear You, lovingly call “Be still, my child this to shall pass."

I am comforted by my Shepherd’s words and feel secure at last.

I don’t always feel God’s strength and peace, immediately, in my times of distress,

but when I finally stop my murmuring; I run into His loving arms and comfortably rest.

When I forget that my power and peace are not of my own fruition, but given by Him;

the problems of this world, seem to fade and grow increasingly dim.

When I delight myself in the Lord and put Him first place in my life,

He directs my path, and ushers me through my days, with much less strife.

He watches over all that concerns me and provides for my every need.

As I travel this pilgrimage with Him, He encourages me to succeed.

Yes, this life, as we know it, will some day pass

and we will walk with our Savior in heaven, safely at home, at last.

Life Is But A Vapor

Here one second. Gone the next.

For those who remain-

Life continues with our daily routines and habits.

We continue to breathe and move and have our being.

Our existence as we knew it, seems meaningless and yet-

Life goes on for some.

Here one minute. Gone the next.

For those who remain-

We eat, work, and try to sleep-

yet our hearts, minds and souls are missing in action.

Our hearts ache over our loss, to the point

of longing to join them in the sweet bye and bye.

Our emotional highs and lows flow freely, as do our tears of sorrow and yet-

Life goes on for some.

Here today. Gone the next.

For those who remain-

Laughing, smiling, even talking at times seems painful.

Unfocused minds, troubled spirits, and wandering thoughts

now clutter our sadden lives.

We wait. We pray. We hope that each day the pain will cease and yet-

Life goes on for some.

Here today. Gone tomorrow.

For those who remain-

May not see their loved ones rejoicing and praising God but they do.

In that next second, that next minute and that next day;

their cherished one is in the arms of their loving Father.

Gone from sickness, pain, and suffering.

Entering into the glorious presence of Yahweh.

Visiting with friends and relatives who met them at heaven's gate.

Walking together, hand in hand on streets of gold and so-

Life goes on for all.

Here today. There forever in eternity.

For all of us-

Life goes on; either in the present world or the next.

Live each day as if it were your last.

Love the Lord and others with passion and show it.

Share His message so others will love and know Him.

Be Heavenly minded and of some earthly good.

Anticipate the day, you too will be reunited

with those who went abrutly ahead.

Yes, Life does go on.

Life goes on for us all.

In loving memory of Joey Maria on his recent eternal home coming, and so many of our

friends and family who have already departed this life.

3-1-21