Dear Sweet Friend,

First of all, thank you. Thank you for loving me through it all. After our past year, I am reminded once again why God designed the Christian life to be one of community. It also takes a village to love well. It takes a village to live this life of grace. Many of you fall into one (or all) of these categories. I want you to know, I am so grateful for you.

To the friend who lives far away, I miss you. I miss seeing your face. Hearing your laugh and seeing your smile. I am so glad we are still connected, especially after all these years.  I am so thankful I can send a message, or a text, telling you to pray and you drop to your knees and pray. I am so glad we can have our phone dates and catch up on all of the little details. We push past the “weather talk” and speak from the heart. I am so thankful I can cry on the phone, hear your voice, and just talk.  Even if it is just once every few months, those times are precious to me. You offer my heart so much truth and love. I always come away with a sense of joy and peace. You hold a piece of my heart.

To the friend who stuck close by, even when it was hard. I am grateful for your faithfulness. The time(s) you listened to me worry. Most of the time you just listened. You said silent prayers while we talked. You looked me in the eye. You hugged my neck. You sat with me. Sometimes not talking. How can I thank you for the unexpected note and text during the tough days? Your presence was enough, but then you brought a meal. Sent a card. Showed you cared. You demonstrated true friendship when you stuck close by through the thick of it. I couldn’t offer much back to you, but that was ok. I was distant. Not talkative. Maybe a little stand-off-ish. I was a taker during that hard season, but you didn’t seem to mind. You still gave. And gave again. You didn’t run away from the broken and hurt. You stayed. And for that, I am so indebted.

To the friend who surprised me by coming alongside. The one who decided to jump out of the woodwork and make yourself known to me. To reach out and take my hand, and say, “Its ok. I’m here with you.” You might not have known me very well, but you wanted to. You reached out to me. You sought me. Choose to open your heart to me. A friend who makes the first step is a friend who cares. A friend who begins to support you when you can offer nothing in return, is a beautiful thing. Thank you. I can’t wait to see how our friendship blossoms.

To the friend I’ve met along this journey, but never in person: I am so thankful for you. I’ve never hugged your neck or listened to the sound of your voice. I’ve never seen your face in real life. I’ve not had a chance to judge you by your clothes or taste in hair styles. (haha) But the words you sent via this modern world speak more to my heart more than anything else. Just to hear the words: “Me too” coming from those who have walked this journey before me, is a treasure to hold fast. I hold fast to our friendship. I look forward to the day our paths meet “in real life.” You are already a part of my “real life” with you prayers, messages, book suggestions, and wise words.

To all of my friends. Your generous love is not forgotten or overlooked. You are loved. By me, yes. But also, God. Our Father sees you. God sees the tiny acts of faith you minister in faithfulness. The sweet blessings of friendship you bestow, not only on me, but others. He sees it all and He loves you so much.

 

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To all of my friends, during this month of “love,” I wanted to let you know how much I love you. February isn’t all about Valentine’s Day. We need to remember “Galetine’s Day” as well! To celebrate, I’ll be featuring some friendship posts every Monday in February.

I’m linking up here.

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