It's the Little Things

A friend of mine came down for the weekend to spend time with me, I haven't seen him in about 5-6 yrs which is a complete guess b/c time has flown by and I honestly can't remember but we had a great time together and it made me realize how blessed I am to have awesome friends. God has brought each and every friend into my life for a different reason and it amazes me to see which ones He chooses to minister to me at various phases in my journey. Over the past couple of months "old" friendships have been strengthened and new friendships have been made and it brings me joy. It seems that I always recieve an email, text, or phone call from a friend when I need it most and I don't believe that it is coincidence, I believe God sends these little blessings and allows that individual to be an encouragement or a testimony to me. I've learned that when you are able to see God in the "little" things you will begin to see His love and care for you in an even bigger way. So thank you to those of you who have been nothing but a true friend to me, you have enriched my life and it wouldn't be the same without you.

I read this poem today "Measure thy life by loss and not by gain, Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth. For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice, And he who suffers most has most to give." I especially appreciate the last standza - I have sacrificed and had to let go of someone that I loved and cared for very much, I have never understood the claim that it takes more love to let a person go until now. It takes everything I have to leave it alone and let it be. It takes all of my meager faith to give it to God and let Him work out the details. And it's true, he who suffers most does have most to give. If i hadn't gone through trials and experiences in my life then I would not be who I am today.....everyone lives through different experiences so that we can grow and use what we've learned to help others and to bring comfort to them. He has been turning the pain into something beautiful by allowing me to minister to others and by giving me an opportunity to become more like Christ.

Jesus showed the strength of His love by dying on the cross for individuals like me who did not deserve that sacrifice yet He did it because He loves me and there hasn't been a greater sacrifice since and there never will be. If letting my best friend go is the sacrifice I needed to make in order to see him grow in the Lord and find his way then it's worth the pain. If my trial is what it takes to minister to a new friend or encourage an old friend then it's worth it. If the pain and heartache and uncertainty is what it takes for ME to grow and become more like Him then it's worth it. God has been showing me the good amidst the hurt and that is what I'm trying to focus on....He can take any decision or situation - whether its bad, good, wrong, right, wise or foolish - and turn it into something that will glorify Him.
For the first time in my life I have the joy of the Lord but I have sadness at the same time yet i think its a holy sadness lol sounds weird i know and i'm wondering if i can even call it that but if it pushes me to my knees in prayer and forces me to look up for strength and direction then what else could it be....