Over the past 5 years we have moved from houses, apartments, and temporary housing 4 times. Each time that we have been getting ready to move, we have had to do something that I really do dread – call, text, and beg people to come over and help us move. Lets face it, no guy (especially if he owns a truck) likes the text that starts – hey I’m moving next weekend. The interesting part of moving is that you quickly find out who your real friends are, because friends will be there to lift all of your heavy stuff. They are willing to be sore and tired the next day because they care about you. They are willing to sacrifice their comfort for your well being. Simply put, real friends lift you.
I greatly appreciate friends who have helped me move over the past 5 years – THANK YOU! I have a deeper gratitude for the people who have reached out and been with me through emotionally and relationally tough times. These are the people who have connected with me during a tough time and done the hard lifting work of investing and caring for me. I have found that the friends I have that lift me in emotionally and relationally difficult times, are friends that I highly value and are deeply important to me.
Have you ever felt like you are alone? Like there is no one out there that you can count on? Many of us probably have felt that way at some point in our lives, and it can feel lonely and frustrating. Some of us need to be a friend that lifts others before we can receive the lifting from a friend. Some of us need to let God lift us so that we can rely on Him more than people in our lives. Some of us need to confess our blinded selfishness and make a fresh start by going out and helping someone. Most of us need to learn how to be a friend that lifts: a friend that will rush in and lift when a relationship of someone we know blows up, a friend that will send a text of encouragement to someone just because, a friend that will buy Starbucks for someone and bring it to their house or workplace or school, a friend that will sit and listen to the issues that someone is struggling with, a friend that will pray consistently and intentionally.
I believe friendships can be reignited when we simply start becoming friends that lift. Remember those who lifted you in the past. Thank them and then find a way to lift them.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Prov 17:17