Friendship

Having recently been blessed with precious time with sweet friends from near and far, friendship is on my mind.

You've got troubles, and I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
'Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me-Randy Newman

This stanza captures the essence of friendship-trust, dependability, companionship

What a blessing to have that person who gets you- who knows what you're thinking sometimes before you even say your thought aloud; who prays for you, gently speaks truth even if it's hard, and who laughs until you cry (or emit any other fluids)!

How sweet of our Lord to create us for relationship-first and foremost with Him as well as with others including spouse, children and friends.

As with other aspects of life, friendship involves variations- in ease, degree, and intimacy.  Which friendships in your life are easy; in the sense that you connect on many levels, share interests or beliefs, or spend time together without conflict or much effort? Who is the person you spend time with, talking, texting and doing life? Who is the person who knows you- the good, the not-so-good and the ugly?

True friendship stands the test of time and trials. I recently spent the weekend with two gals from my childhood, both of whom were in my wedding. We laughed lots and reminisced about our shared memories. We have also been there for one another through life's bumps including skin cancer, divorce, and the death of a parent.

The degree of intimacy shared with a friend is by no means limited to how long one has known the person. I walk with a gal who has become a confidant although we have only know each other two years. I would describe both of us as authentic, not much pretense, as well as committed to our shared faith.We talk about the relational challenges we face. I can count on her to point me to Jesus first and foremost, and to challenge me to how I can more effectively handle a situation with grace and love. 

The decisive test and the most beautiful proof of real friendship will be found in the day of adversity. A friend is never known till needed. When calamity falls upon us, false friends make excuses and go; lip-friends relapse into silence; but we begin then for the first time to find out who is a friend indeed. Then it appears that the true friend is entirely unchanged by the changed aspect of affairs; it seems as if he had been born into a brotherhood with us for this express occasion. 1

Are you blessed with the gift of friendship? In what ways can you further develop your current friendships or seek out new ones? 

Pattie, a gal blessed with an abundance of friends

1 biblehub.com

Are You Available?

Always a challenge where to start when much time has passed since my last post.

In the past year much has occurred in the Ceci household; children have married/divorced, deployed, graduated, traveled, become gainfully employed as contributing citizens and spent time in Canada working at a horse ranch.

The Lord has kindly shown and grown me during the past year as well. I am impatient-no getting around it. I believe it became most apparent while I waited in line at Newport Beach to use the restroom. It was a busy, summer Saturday night and the line was LONG and I needed to use the facilities. I grumbled and complained, "I don't understand why it takes ladies so long to do their thing; just get in there, pee and be done. Ugghh!" Couple this with standing in line a few times at the express lane at the grocery store, wondering why it takes sooo long to ring up fifteen or less items. I realized these incidences paralleled my spiritual journey.

Since entering this new season of "retirement," I have asked, prayed and grumbled to the Lord, "What would you have me do, Lord?" I expected, I guess, for Him to answer-on my terms, in my timing. How brash of me! We serve a merciful Lord and he is faithful to love and embrace us, shortcomings and all. I can now say that I know my current assignment and I embrace it wholeheartedly.

My nature tends to be somewhat organized and I like to have a plan, knowing what each day brings (ahead of time). Well, isn't it like God to grow me in this area? I cannot pinpoint an exact moment or experience this was revealed to me, but what I know is the Lord wants me to be available. Period.

I have wondered aloud, "Maybe I should work at Trader Joe's." I love people; it's active and it's nearby. No, I do not believe that is for me at this time. A few opportunities have presented themselves and they are in line with how the Lord has made me. I help out at MOPs every other Friday in the nursery, which I love. I volunteer at CHOC on Mondays in patient hospitality and the Lord has blessed me with a twenty-one year old gal as my partner each week. We discharge patients, bring parents coffee, and buddy with children when needed. Once a month I bring Kopi there as a pet therapy dog and the staff, parents and patients love him.

More than anything I love encouraging moms in their most important calling and I am thrilled to say the Lord has given me the desire of my heart. It looks different then it did in Hawaii. Rather than meeting weekly with a group of moms, sharing, praying and discussing all thing related to motherhood, he has placed moms in my path on a more one-on-one basis.

Being available has also resulted in unplanned opportunities to serve or bless others. I can help a single mom move into her new apartment or invite a mom over with her little ones to swim. One time I had planned coffee with someone but it did not pan out that day. When I went to the gym that morning a gal asked if I could bake cookies for the upcoming CHOC walk. Now I knew why I did not have plans for that day. I had cookies to bake.

Having a daily quiet time was not a challenge for me as a busy mom of five children. Yet, I have struggled with keeping this discipline, in spite of having more free time than I have had in several years. A favorite pastor of mine says, "How much of God do we have in our lives? Exactly as much as we desire!" I was convicted gently that this is necessary not optional!" Seven days without God makes one" weak," is another Waxerism.

I aim to remain consistent without becoming legalistic in regards to this life-giving discipline. I find I talk with the Lord throughout the day when people, burdens and situations come to mind. Playing worship music while at home or driving helps my mind focus on that which is most important rather than raising my blood pressure listening to talk radio.

I will end with one more saying from Pastor Waxer- "God cares more about your availability than your ability." My challenge-are you willing and able to surrender your agenda for the Lord's?