having friends is so important in this life. the deep-down/core desire to be close to someone is placed in us by God. the Bible makes mention of "relationship" & what it means to love. we're not likely to be edified/fulfilled in "drive-by" relationships or sunday acquaintances. we need something more. we need "real" relationships. to me, this "real" relationship, has a few basic elements/components: trust, mutuality, accountability, authenticity & an overall concern for each other. i want a friend where ANYTHING can be talked about & in any tone & using whatever "speech" comes to mind @ the time. what i've mentioned above is no small task. especially, given that humans let humans down- even the best of friends. so, we know what the ideal/goal is of friendship (i probably forgot some basic elements), & we look to engage. we've heard that we have to be friendly to have friends. i feel for those that struggle, socially, to be friendly- that's a lot easier said than done. personally, because i don't care for loneliness very much, i have engaged & been engaged, by a man very dear to me. here's a little letter to a guy that has made a difference in my life:
dc,
i want to thank you for being my "close/real" friend.
thanks for:
being the consummate optimist
being a motivator when motion is so hard
accepting my faults & past as if they didn't happen
pointing me to Jesus in ABSOLUTE TRUTHS!
being a strong Christ-following example
being brutally honest w/ me in healing
checking on me when ya think i'm not doing so well, or anytime for that mater
being on "fire" & standing firm in those areas imparted to you
being unwavering in biblical TRUTHS- at all times
being concerned for my family & helping me to be a better husband & dad
being real about your own life & sharing it w/ me
helping me look past the enemy lies re: who i am
making "big things", small, by taking them a step @ a time
taking me under your wing, when i felt as a lost cause & worthless
helping me think in terms of faith & victory - vice doubt/worry/anxiety & defeat
letting me into your family circle
& there's too many to mention.......
your "realness" & dedication to be my friend & help me grow, is a blessing beyond words. i believe it to be a miracle that i've been blessed w/. please know that what you've done & continue to do, is much appreciated. your devotion to me will always be a reminder of what i'd like others to experience. someone who gives love, receives love, & works through anything w/ each other.
thanks & love,
jay
4 comments:
I think he's pretty awesome too, Jay! :)
I'd like to add to this that it is my opinion that Dennis and Georgia are a great example of what marriage is supposed to be like--"two people facing outward in the same direction." I don't think I've ever met another pair of people who are as loving, encouraging, embracing as you two. THANKS FROM ME ALSO!
great, wait until dennis is on a self-imposed blog haitus, then post something nice about him. tempting him to get his fix, are you?
a little more seriously, i've been thinking about life without dennis and georgia:
1. worship would most likely suck more
2. i wouldn't even be thinking about going back and changing the word "suck"
3. lolita and i would have less tools to help us work through issues in our marriages and ourselves
4. my more obscure star trek references would go unnoticed
i'm sure there's more, but i'm off to take a test.
nah, i wouldn't entice him like that. ;-)
seriouly though- i had the post as a draft before denden went on a break. when he did go on a break, i then said, hey, i wrote this darn thing & i'm going to post it.
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