The “What ifs,” “Maybes” and “Will bes.”

It’s that time of year again. Another Christmas has been and gone. Trees and decorations seem out of place in the living room now. As we take them down, we acknowledge the end of another season and our thoughts inadvertently turn to the next.

For as long as I can remember, I have found myself in the same reflective mood at this time of year, thinking of the year that’s gone and looking towards that which is coming. If I’m honest with myself and with you, many times in the past, my immediate response has been to waver; between gratitude for the patience and favour of God in my life ; and a suppression of angst surrounding what lies ahead. As we dwell on the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’, before we realise it, uncertainty gives way to despair:

‘What if my health deteriorates this year?’ ‘ What if my family is hit by sickness?’ ‘Maybe I’ll lose someone I love this year.’ ‘Maybe I’ll still be struggling.’ ‘Maybe we’ll still be struggling.’ ‘What if things don’t get any better?’ ‘Maybe there’ll not be enough money.’ ‘What if I lose my job?’ ‘Maybe I’ll not get a job!’ ‘What if my dream remains a dream?’ ‘Maybe I’ll not be any happier next year.’ ‘What if I’m still lonely?” What if my kids are lonely?’ ‘Maybe I’ll not be good enough, smart enough, gifted enough, strong enough….’ ‘What if this year is more painful than the last ?’

The list is endless.

Sadly, all be it unintentionally, we allow the truth of what WILL BE in Christ to become a means to an end , rather than a great expectation of hope!

God has already been determining within my heart His desire for me to pause, to lift my eyes, to surrender again, to relinquish fear again , to trust again, to hope again. You see, there’s so much potential for the ‘what ifs’, the ‘maybes’ and the ‘maybe nots’ to invade our hearts, distract our minds and rob us of our joy.

There are fewer tempestuous states to be in than those who remain in joylessness. Their paths become lonely, disengaged, embittered and characterised by negativity – paralysed, as others move on.

We were not made to linger in our troubles, nor fumble about in the shadows of uncertainty.

The Father calls us out.

The Spirit whispers to push through. To press on. To step through the doorway of hope.

We are no longer slaves, but sons and daughters.

We are no longer dead, but alive.

Not somehow, but triumphantly.

As I type these words, there’s a gentle whisper overwhelming my heart that, regardless of circumstance, regardless of where you and I find ourselves this time next year – this fundamental truth remains – 2017 is already a year of victory for those who know and love Jesus!!

Do you need to read that again?

2017 is already a year of victory for those of us who know and love Jesus !!!!!

Perhaps we need to retreat back to that beautiful first encounter with Jesus when our hearts leapt within our chest as it finally sunk in, that He has overcome the world; that He has overcome death; and that He has offered abundant life in all its freedom and fullness both now and in eternity with HIM. Oh and let’s not forget the part that says there is nothing, nothing, NOTHING that can separate us from the love and hope that we have in Christ Jesus – not even death.

We have a choice then -To stand in the shadows of doubt and uncertainty, or resolve to move our feet steadily through the doorway of hope.

We have a choice. To remain paralysed by regret and disappointment, or to ‘power on’ in Him.

We have a choice. To let go and to let God…

I don’t know about you but I want to resolve this year to let go of all that’s not mine to carry – that I may take hold of what’s all mine in Him.

I choose to possess my possessions in Christ. I’m not settling for seconds.

I want the ‘will bes’ to dominate my thinking .

Now is the time to come face to face with the ‘what ifs’, stand nose to nose with the ‘maybes’ and stare straight into the eyes of the ‘maybe nots,’  telling all three to step down , because the HOPE of what WILL BE cannot be de-railed, delayed or defeated!

You know what else permeates my soul right now?…. The truth for you and I that love Jesus – our lives don’t balance on the shoulders of possibility nor do they cling on to the hands of chance – Rather our lives have been strategically placed, purposefully hidden and beautifully designed to abide in the arms of sovereignty. I know. It’s incredible. He’s incredible. Read that again.

Not possibility, sovereignty.

So then.. 2017.. I do not know what lies ahead. There will be moments of darkness, perhaps even doubt, BUT one thing is certain – there will not be defeat, there will not be despair, because God is already there and HIS is the VICTORY.

Let’s walk in it, not near it or around it. Actually IN IT.

VICTORY.

Acts 2:26 (Msg) “I have pitched my tent in the land of hope.”

Hosea 2:15 “There I will restore (give back) her vineyards and turn her valley of Achor (trouble) into a doorway of hope.”

Beauty in bringing

My youngest daughter loves giving me gifts- drawings, cut flowers, sticky weed, pennies, bits of paper, sweeties, you name it- she’ll walk right up to my side, pull the bottom of my shirt and hand it over with that trademark smile that makes her eyes sparkle and her nose wrinkle.

My heart melts that even in those ‘madness’ moments when my mind is preoccupied, my hands are busy, or there have been cross words between us- she still leans in, her heart still pours out that love offering and her eyes still look for my pleasure in receiving.

One day when she’s older, perhaps she’ll realise how much she’s taught me about pouring out my worship before Abba God.

“Give to God the Glory HE deserves, bring your offering and come before HIm. Worship the Lord in the beauty of HIs holiness.”

It’s easy to bring the offering when life’s journey is filled with joy, when we’re comfortable, settled, happy and beautifully aware of our blessings… BUT what if there’s a turn in the road? What if the unforeseen comes into view? What if the darkness creeps in to dim the light of the sun?

Perhaps it’s not as easy to pour out praise when there’s pain in the offering.

If I’m honest before God and you, there’ve been times in life when I’d rather scream than sing. Times when I’d rather stand silent or turn away than bring the offering.

There’ve also been moments when I’ve pulled every single word up to surface from what feels like the deepest of places right at the bottom corner of my soul, to the extent that it’s literally left me exhausted in worship….

“But though there’s pain in the offering..Blessed be His name. “

From a vulnerable and honest heart I can testify that Father God turned to see, Father God felt that pull at the bottom of His garment, His gaze fell upon a daughter desperate for His pleasure in receiving the soul offering, even in the darkest of times when the mouth relied on the soul to cry out – Father God breathed His presence in, Abba smiled and watched as that daughter rose up stronger after battle, as she wrapped herself up tighter in Him, having learned a deeper way of worshipping than she’d experienced before and as she basked in the Sunshine-Joy of knowing Him again.

O dear daughters and sons, know that Father waits for you. Know that Father desires for you to keep coming, keep bringing your beautiful offering , in joy and in pain – just keep running to Him, walk, crawl if you have to … because He WILL receive that offering with pleasure,  HE WILL raise you up in His arms as a child, HE WILL pour on you that double portion of joy for the offering that you have poured out before HIM.

Never give up giving the glory He deserves..there’s such beauty in ‘bringing.’

Love out loud.

Surely there are few things more important in life than loving out loud. Where pure, unselfish love is lacking, that relationship is as lasting as a balloon let go – to drift aimlessly to the ground.

When did we stop celebrating one anothers’ successes? Feeling sincerely happy when others win, progress, emerge or soar?

Or why are our voices silent when others’ are in need?

Why have we ceased to meet together, to weep together, to laugh together, to pray together?

Why did we give up on drawing close, standing shoulder to shoulder and investing deeply in someone other than ourselves?

Why don’t we overdo it- go all out – when it comes to blessing and encouragement? Are we really ‘too busy’, or can we just not be bothered?

Have we forgotten that we were made for fellowship and placed in family ? God didn’t intend us to be solitary in life because he knew life was sweeter spent with others. .’sweet friendship refreshes the soul’….’pity the one who falls and has no friend to pick him up.’

Why has our love been silenced?

Have our hearts turned so introverted, selfish, perhaps even covetous that we’d rather compare and compete – criticise and confront – ignore and scoff- than take time to cheer and encourage?  Or do we pray for that double-portion of blessing on those we struggle to get along with?

We’ve learned before that ‘out of the mouth, the heart speaks’, so once again we see that these heart matters are actually matters of the heart.

How pure is the overflow?

We cannot escape the fact that if it matters to Him, it must matter to us. He calls us to not just love but to love DEEPLY.

I’m becoming more convinced than ever before that somewhere alongside the dimming flame of our love for each other, flickers kindness – the forgotten fruit. Perhaps in our ever-so-busy-can’t-keep-up lives, we’ve let go of one of life’s basic essentials- being kind. It’s easier to count wrongs, it’s easier to find flaws, it’s easier to pass judgement. How quick we fall into frustration throughout our day, repeatedly finding something or someone to be annoyed about YET we refuse to speak up, encourage, affirm, engage or stand alongside each other, whatever the cost.

It would appear, because of our sinful hearts, loving kindness and genuine desire for others to excel  needs cultivated, drawn out. Lord we need the Holy Spirit’s help.

Love and kindness stand right beside humility, which calls for your success before mine, your joy before mine, your position before mine, your recognition before mine- let’s face it humility costs too.

I love that when we think of Creator God, we see images of plenty. He does not give sparingly, nor does He favour one over the other. His blessings don’t stop at the house next door, the desk beside ours, the family across from us at church.

God reaches to us from running streams of abundance.

So then…their blessings have nothing to do with mine .

Thier success doesn’t threaten mine.

We need to look again at His loving-kindness to us as a sinful people. He could have made excuses, He could have turned His back- but He chose to reach in.

” But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
Titus 3:4,5

Perhaps we’re busy ticking all the other boxes of good-living but have seriously neglected His primary command. LOVE one another. DEEPLY. Not just for their sake but for our own.

Maybe it’s time to stop looking for the worst in others and find gold in the dirt.

Maybe it’s time to cultivate kindness as a way of life.

Maybe it’s time to humble, time to cheer, time to embrace, time to pursue.

Maybe it’s time to raise our voices, they’ve been silenced long enough.

Love much. Love deeply.

Love out loud.

To the ones who are no longer ‘enough’.

Sometimes it only takes that click onto social media to leave us feeling like our lives haven’t enough, our stories aren’t quite enough, WE aren’t enough…
Scanning through countless statuses, updates and photographs leaves a trail of questions all stirring up those self-abasing tendencies within..
‘I should be like..’ or ‘Why can I not..?’ ‘Maybe I need to…’ ‘When will we..’ or ‘will we ever…?’ Perhaps we stare at others’ photos and convince ourselves that we’re falling short as individuals, as parents, as employees, as friends, the list is endless. Somehow and somewhere down this everyone’s-involved-and -your-business-is-my-business world that we’re so caught up in, we’ve convinced ourselves that we fall into ‘boring’, we don’t have enough ‘fun’ nor strange and startling things going on and let’s face it, our kids would probably be happier posing within those holiday snaps , eating ice cream… some place  else! Plus, we’ll not even talk about the ‘I’ve lost 4O stone and look 20 years younger ‘ads and reminders!😂

Just now let’s You and I close ourselves in, quieten the voices without and listen to His voice within.

*God thinks YOU are beautiful. How could you not be as a reflection of Himself? Made in His image, right from the beginning when He ‘wove you together  in the secret place.’ Noone else is involved in creating the ‘unique’ within us either. We are one-off masterpieces, fashioned by the hands of Creator God. When we refuse to see and celebrate our own beauty or that of others and slam it instead, how must that not hurt the heart of Father God?

* God’s will for YOU is unique to YOU.
His plans for you weren’t made for me!
Celebrate the road that you are on. Embrace everything the Father has for  you. It’s your journey. Don’t stand on the sidelines of someone else’s waiting your turn to live it.

*We’re called to ‘transform, ‘ not ‘conform.’ To ‘prove’ and not seek approval.

” Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of your minds that you may PROVE the will of God in YOUR life.” Rom 12v2

*When your eyes are on others, HIS eyes are on YOU and He never breaks HIS gaze.

*God has promised YOU hidden treasures in secret places!! Is 45v3

*Many are the ways of others, BUT “As for God, His way is perfect.” Ps 18.30

*God sees within YOU. STOP weighing up your beauty on the scales or looking for change in the mirror. You won’t ever find what you are looking for.These things don’t measure your worth nor define your value.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is  fleeting, but the one who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Prov 31:30

*Content yourself IN HIM. YOU and I will realise that maybe we have been asking the wrong question altogether. Maybe it’s not about whether or not we are enough..

Let’s instead, ask ourselves, is HE enough for us?

If the answer is ‘yes’, then peace will pass all understanding to our hearts next time we touch that little blue f button.. Xx

Expecting .



Can I whisper something from mine to yours right were we are today ?

God is not silent.

I was reminded this morning of that beautiful verse in John10:27:

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me.”

Perhaps you just need this reminder today – God is not silent. God knows you. God loves you more.

Think.
Why would a loving Father God send His only, precious, sinless son to pay the ultimate price – carrying the weight of the world’s sin and shame, experiencing the brutality of a painful death as the Father turned His face away – in order to reconcile us, redeem (literally buy back)  a right relationship between Father God and His children – For God to remain silent, distant, removed from His beloved?

Jesus stepped in – to break the silence.

Jesus broke in – to restore what was broken.

Jesus experienced the Father turning His face from him, that we might experience His face turn toward us.

I’ll say it again. God is not silent.

Perhaps then, since there is no doubt that God is a loving,relational Father who longs for our hearts more than we long for His, we need to pose an alternative question:

Are you and I listening?

Do we recognise the beautiful whispers of Yahweh above all the other noise?

What has drowned out the distinctive tones of  His voice?

When did we stop believing that He had much to say ?

Those tender tones whisper in the night seasons as we dream, wakening us with pictures, people and needs to pray for.
How do we respond? Time to engage, time to pursue, time to intercede, time to get out of bed and kneel.

His voice welcomes us in the morning as you and I organise today, but we rush in when the invitation is to wait.

He readies to annoint the inner mechanisms of our minds with holy oil.

He longs to orchestrate the finer details, to write His name on every page of our story.

As He lifts His pen, we turn the page. Time and time again.

He places dates, events, unpredictable meetings, names, impossible dreams and unbirthed ministries on our hearts, all the while offering a beautiful exchange of ordinary for immeasurable…

Yet we choose the boringly obvious over the sublimely divine.

Are you listening?

Have you let His words touch your heart as feathers that are here for a moment before they disappear.

Prompts of promise, pointers of His presence.

Unwelcomed. Unrecognised. Forgotten.

We act surprised when God shows up, we regard His presence as extraordinary. AND God waits for us to move from experience to expectation again.

To expect the unexpected until the unexpected is what’s expected.

To move in the supernatural, until it becomes natural. An overarching way of life.

So today we make a choice.

Are you listening? God has much to say.

Because HE lives.

But if not…He is still good.

Sometimes I forget that The Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword. 

Other times, I feel the piercing of His Truth strike right through my heart and am reminded again of the reason why this is so.

God has been challenging me about how steady I stand when faced with trials, difficulties or ‘seemingly’ dashed hopes..
Can I be honest? Most of the time I feel I haven’t faced them well. In fact, often I think I’m making a real mess of it.
It’s easy to trust in the daylight, I like being able to see, it’s comfortable, predictable, there are no surprises- but as the darkness draws in, it becomes more difficult.

The Word of God points me to the story of three men about to be thrown into a furnace if they failed to bow down to other gods and renounce their faith in theirs. Their response has played over in my mind for what feels like a million times and made deep cuts in my heart. They refuse to worship any other and point to the God who alone can deliver them.

“BUT IF NOT, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image… ”

Even in the face of death with the heat of the flames threatening against them, their faith in the one True God remained undaunted. These men knew how to stand steady in trial! I desire with my whole heart to be like them.

How about you?

How are you sticking the heat of the flames today?

Let’s not only believe in God, Let’s believe God. We know He is who He says He is. Our deliverer, our provider, our shelter, our healer, the God who sustains and ordains. The beginning and the end.

AND if we don’t get what we want or we get what we have not asked for.. What then?

Who’s willing to stand with me in speaking loud so the enemy can hear..

“But if not? “..I will still praise Him . I will still love Him. I will still run after Him. I will still trust HIm, I will still honour Him.

Praying you and I will dance in spite of the flames today xxx

A New day dawning..

TODAY. Out of the ordinary?  Not necessarily in it’s beginning, with familiar footsteps and sleepy tones posing customary questions about the plans, whereabouts and happenings of the day .

 TODAY. Significant? Most definitely. For this day holds unnumbered ‘goodbye’ whispers to a year that’s soon to be history, as the world eagerly awaits the dawn of a new tomorrow.

As I stand at the door of another year, there are a few things God has pressed upon my heart that I don’t want to dwell on for one single minute nor carry one tiny step forward into 2016. It’s time to bid them farewell and with His name on my lips, I stretch out my hands to let go, set down and hand over, that I might draw in, pick up, hold on and reach closer.

“…but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forwards to what lies ahead, towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” phil 3: 13-14

2016 is almost over and life still isn’t perfect. There are still many times when family life feels chaotic, quiet times sporadic, mess just bordering on manageable, friendships fragile, relationships changeable, not to mention those words and actions that are all too regrettable. I’m learning on a daily basis to give up those dreams of having it all together in pursuit of becoming all that God has and intends me to be instead. TODAY I no longer strive to be perfect. TODAY I choose to release the ties of self-dissatisfaction in exchange for the unsnappable cords of God’s forever grace, loving kindness and forgiveness.

Our striving for all things perfect extends not only to how we see ourselves, but also to how others see us or how we think others see us.. There’s a difference! TODAY HE sets you and I free to silence the voices of accusation, judgement, criticism and those adverse appraisals to who we actually are before God. Remembering to consider the audience?  ONE.

With the turn of a new year, at times my preoccupation veers towards memories from the last. Yes there have been times of sadness and disappointment. Yes there has been worry. Yes there has been confusion. Yes there has been loss. Yes I’ve made a mess of things more than once. Yes He’s counted a good few tears.

BUT.

Praise be to our promise-keeping Father,  our stories don’t end mid-way through the journey so why linger there one second longer than we have to?  

TODAY exists to move on for TOMORROW is hope-filled and promise-packed to overflowing with more than we dare to dream… That’s just it. TODAY will you join me as we do that – dare to dream. Let’s leave disappointments behind, regret can stay there too, for they’ve no place in the blessing that lies ahead. Let’s refuse to dim the brightness of His future by failing  to surrender the darkness from our past.

Another thought comes to mind that excites my heart right now. 2016 has held many beautiful God-ordained moments, each brimming with expectant, grateful and happy hearts and packed with joy. Yet His promises whisper to your soul and mine of even ‘greater things that we know not of,’  ‘all things new, ” immeasurably more.’ YES.. MORE. How incredible is God?

So will you choose with me TODAY to offer up those beautiful moments too?  While we store their memory in our hearts for always, there’s little point in living amongst memories of goodness when we can live in HIS TODAY.

As the sun rises on 2017.. It’s time to sing again.Time to trust again. Time to dance again. Time to dream again. Time to forget, to store up, to follow. Time to leave behind. Time to move forward and time to surrender the perfect and imperfect in pursuit of His presence…

Happy NEW year!

” I have set the Lord ALWAYS before me. He is at my right hand therefore I will not be shaken. “

It’s About Time…

From the minute we wake up we’re looking for it, running out of it, keeping track of it, planning our activities around it. We analyse it by watching the clock, arranging pick ups, meetings, coffee dates, lunch hours, home times, tea times, bed times, me time, family time, quiet times.. and so the list goes on.

TIME.

We confess to others that, ‘there isn’t enough time’, ‘perhaps another time’, or ( if you’re anything like me), apologising that we’re not making it ‘on time’.

One of the multitude of things I love about God, is how He steps in at just the right time. Perhaps He speaks at just the right time or maybe He sends someone at just the right time.

Sometimes I bring my requests before Him but tend to whisper the part about His will and His timing under my breath, as though providing a good weighty argument or rationale will persuade Him to follow my plans and my timescale.

When will we learn that this is the God who takes time to number our hairs and count our tears?  The one who knows when we sit and when we rise, who sees our days planned out and has written about each one in His Book of Life. Who has formed not only our bodies, but also our minds, our idiosyncrasies and our personalities. He could have made us all the same, but He chose to make us all different because He loves us all uniquely. The same God who pursue us. He, who not only calls us ‘friend’ but ‘child’. The one who rejoices over us, sends angels charge over us , fights for us, welcomes us. This God is our Father who gave up His son to die for us. We must be more than a little special to Him. He’s the One who knows exactly what we can bear to make us more like Jesus, without leaving us in despair, hopeless or ashamed….

I’m pretty sure He knows when to step in.

I’m turning my heart towards Him today, I’m lifting my eyes and I’m praying for you to do the same. Whatever you are facing, whatever you are waiting for, however bleak or uncertain those circumstances may appear –

God is never late.

He hasn’t forgotten you.

He hasn’t temporarily turned his head or become preoccupied with something more important.

Keep believing.

He will step in.

He who has promised is faithful.

Keep looking up.

Keep trusting.

Don’t grow weary of battle because breakthrough is coming. xxx

“What’s that to you? Follow me”

One of the scriptures that has impacted my life most powerfully and is forever etched in my memory growing up, can be found within the interchange between Peter and Jesus following His resurrection. Jesus asks Peter three times ‘Do you love me?’ He answers “yes,” three times. Then Jesus shares with Peter how he would die. Upon hearing of his impending painful death, Peter’s first response is to question Jesus about how it will be for John – the disciple whom Jesus loved, to which Jesus replies,“What’s that to you? Follow me.”

Perhaps when we first witness the reaction of Peter we find it incredible that his first thoughts turn to John, rather than what lay ahead . However is it really that big of a surprise – considering 2000+ years on the rest of the world is still struggling with these similar themes of distraction and comparison?

One of the reasons this passage has made such a lasting impression on my heart is  perhaps because my dad quoted this phrase to me many times growing up. Times when I felt disappointed, entitled,  judged, disconnected, inadequate, the challenge remained the same – “Do you love me?…What’s that to you? Follow me.”

Here I am – a lot older than I used to be ( 🙂 ), and these words still bring both a challenge and a choice to my heart.  This side of eternity there will always be  brokenness, struggle, work, disappointments, division, criticism, hardship, doubt, comparison, the list is actually endless. I’m learning that I have no control of them- but  there is one thing I do have control of – choice. I choose how I respond to circumstance. I’m grateful to God for his revelation as I’m learning .

How I choose to respond to life every day is determined by my acceptance of God’s grace and sovereignty in every moment, with a laying down of my ways in surrender to His will. Notice I say ‘my acceptance of’, because His grace and sovereignty are unchanging. It follows, that how I choose to respond to life every day displays the true depth, fruitfulness, joy, freedom and surrender in my relationship with Jesus- in every moment.

I’m reminded again of the earlier question of Jesus “Do you love me?”

As I write, my heart is heavy and ashamed that ‘Abba’ God has had to ask me this same question too many times, with a challenge- ‘Live like it.’ Those words that have come to mind, I share with you.

Do you love me? Show me. Show me in how you care for the family that I have entrusted to you, with love, with patience, without condition, without expectation. Show me in how you place me as the cornerstone of your home. Do you want your children to love me deeply too? Show me. How often do you pray to Me? How often do you speak of me, at the school gate, at the hairdressers, at the shops? Show me in how you long for my approval alone. Show me in how you speak to and about your husband. Do you love me? Can I see it in your attitude to those who speak against you?  Look at how you spend your money. Do you love me? How do you speak of others when they’re not listening? . I am. Do you love me?  How do you feed my lambs? How do you defend the weak? Show me. How are you living to be like me?  How do you spend your free time? What drives your motivation, steers your thinking, captivates your heart?  Do you love me?

 Perhaps it’s in the pursuit of loving Jesus as we should and answering ‘Yes’ that we become less distracted by ourselves and more attracted to becoming more like Jesus. Maybe then, as we lift our eyes,  those few blunt words of Jesus that followed many years ago, become a daily reminder, for those who really love Him …“What’s that to you ? Follow me.”

10 things I want my children to know.. about Friendship

As parents, I think we all dread the day when our children feel left out. For us, today was that day.
It wasn’t anything overly traumatic and I’m pretty sure it won’t be long-lasting either. However something happening in their little evolving world of friendships that did seem to hurt her heart a little.
It got me thinking again about leading my children in the truth and how I can stand with them in this, as their mum… and so a series is beginning to unfold..10 things I want my children to know.
The first had to be on friendship 🙂 .. Praise God that He takes great delight in small beginnings…

#1 Always Be Kind.
A good friend is a kind friend. As your heart experiences the loving kindness of your Heavenly Father, overflow such kindness to others. Cultivate it in YOU and pursue those who have the same heart also.

#2 Neither hearsay, nor opinion is TRUTH.
You will be bombarded with notions and opinions about life, others, God and you. These are and always will remain ‘notions and opinions’– not TRUTH.
-Don’t let a friend’s opinion of someone else taint yours. You may not see the heart from which she speaks, so protect the heart and honour of the one she speaks about.
-Don’t let a friend’s opinion of you take hold of your heart.
-(Most importantly) Don’t let a friend’s opinion of God shape yours.
Seek the truth. Believe the truth. Live out the truth. Speak the truth. Share the truth.

#3 Jesus forgave You.. forgive others. There may be some who wound your heart and never ask for your forgiveness- forgive them anyway and move on.

#4 Love much and Love many.
Remember Jesus is the only friend who “sticks closer than a brother.”
Don’t let anyone have more of your heart than Jesus.
God made everyone unique. Love the ‘unique’ in everyone. Each individual friend will add their own special tone to the colour of your life..so aim for a rainbow of blessing. Love much and love many!

#5 Surround yourself with people who laugh.
You will always be happier in life, whilst you’re laughing! Make it a priority to spend time with those who can step aside from the serious to enjoy the gift God has planted deep in our souls- laughter!
Laugh out loud and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself a little!

#6 Always be who you were created to be and not who someone wants you to be.
Remember you were made on purpose to fulfil His purposes for your life. It is who you are before Father God that counts. See yourself as God sees you precious son/daughter of the King.

#7 There are friendships and friend-shifts.. and that’s O.K!
Don’t fret about change. There will always be changing of seasons in life. Fact. That’s how God planned it. Friendships will change, as you change- few will remain steady for life, others will bring beautiful blessing for a short time. Give thanks. Enjoy being with those around you today.When you realise HE IS ENOUGH for you, your heart will be fine.

#8 Don’t keep company with competition.
Even when some are racing against you rather than with you- Run after Jesus. Flee competition. You are not in that race.

#9 Always ask if this friendship is fruitful.
Remember the fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-control, Kindness, Goodness. Apply that to your friendship to check its worth and fruitfulness. Where you find it seriously lacking, let it go.

#10 Pray.
Pray for your friends.
Pray that they know Jesus! Pray that they pursue Jesus! Pray their families may be found in Jesus too!
Pray with your friends.
There’s nothing compares to the heart-ties of friends who follow Jesus together.

Pray protection on your friendships.

Remember God loves you and HE has got this.

xxx