Friendships

I was skeptical on writing this topic I thought at first it would be offensive or misinterpreted  toward others but after praying on it, it was decided that my transparency and honesty wins.  When I was younger in grade school I had a hard time adjusting and making friends not because I was strange or couldn't get along with others, only because I was shy. I remember eating lunch alone from Kindergarten until second grade I was picked on and called names almost daily. Being bullied day after day, month after month and year after year started to weigh on me. Not until one day I was approached by a young lady after I had stepped on her blocks clumsily( all because of house shoe day)  I was recognized,  at first there was a little hostility but over time we learned that we had the same similarities and even lived in close proximity to one another.

Over time I grew to  hold my friend in high regard always looking out for her always spending the night with one another and defending one another. We were best friends until the end and even had the matching bracelets that we had made to prove it. Before I met my "friend" I used to play with my Barbie dolls, cabbage patch kids and was even involved in dance class. I loved to tap dance and loved to play with my dolls dressing them up and taking care of them. I was told that I was uncool and all of those dolls that I had were juvenile and I stopped playing with them and at age 11 I stopped dance class as well.

In growing up and looking back on all of my sacrifices that I made to adjust to someone else' s liking I can't believe that I could bend so much. I was actually feeling like I had to give up all of the things that made me happy, that I liked just to fit in? I thought why would I do that? Being noticed and or loved was important to me I needed a friend I craved friendship and acceptance my whole life had been about pleasing others. Not until I was an adult did I first comprehend that the things that made me happy as long as they were pleasing to God. I did not commit any crime I've always been there for all of my friends but countless amounts of time I can remember when I needed a friend the most. NEEDED not wanted a huge difference a simply venting or how was my day, a shoulder to lean on or a reminder on behavior or scripture.

I have come to realize that sometimes friends come and go most are not forever just like the bible talks about different seasons . At first Thessalonians 5:11- Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing . My whole entire point is when you have a friend your duty is to build one another up with strong encouraging words and compassion. Do the things that you love to do with the conviction of God and his word. Love one another and be there for one another without turning away or being wicked. I want each and every one of you to be there for your fellow brother and sister and be transparent to your friend with honesty in a loving fashion. Hold no grudges, keep no record of what has been wronged be free to love and forgive one another. To allow this to happen I have prepared a prayer and scripture for us all to consider. At 1 Cor13:4-8 It talks about love I wont recall the whole scripture so that you may look it up and trust me curiosity will have you look it up.

Prayer Starter: Dear God please keep my eye simple and not get discouraged Lord allow me to accept the things that I cannot change and allow love and forgiveness to coincide in my heart with one another. God please allow me to change for the better and learn that we are all imperfect, and pray for comfort in me as well as my friends and foes. Thank you God for this opportunity to grow closer to you God through my heart and mind being cleansed of anguish and lingering thought of opposition.
All of these things We pray through your sons Name JESUS CHRIST AMEN.