So, I'm over here contemplating.
Listening to music on Blip.fm [http://blip.fm/Child0fGod] and browsing through some old pictures on my parents' desktop computer. I don't normally get too personal here on my blog... which is strange, yet not-so much...
But, while browsing the pictures I'm seeing those of old friends... friendships I made before Christ saved me in 2006. I broke a lot of friendships after I got saved. I Corinthians 15:33 says "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I took this scripture to its extreme, far beyond what it's probably intended to mean; God have mercy. I completely stopped talking to these persons, instead of loving them where they were, yet not conforming to their habits.
I was never hateful to anyone [praise God], but I began to drift from a lot of the people in my life that I once called "friends." I think about it now, and I'm thinking in my heart "I didn't have to stop talking to those people entirely..." ...they were good friends who at one time we shared the same interests-- but once I gave my life to Christ, I felt as though I needed to break those friendships.
It's almost as though these people have been removed from my life completely [which they have because we no longer communicate]... as if they died. But, praise God they haven't literally died. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.
This is for me, not necessarily for "my blog" or anyone else. This is my blog and it's an account of my life-- dedicated to my Father in Heaven. The pictures below are those of old friends who I miss and who I'm going to begin praying for... I love them and miss them as friends in the sense of people I'd hang out with for fun, not in the sense of brothers and sisters/friends in Christ. I don't miss the old habits or the flawed nature, because I'm a new creature in Christ, but I do miss them as people.
Cherie, Gabrielle & Me, 2005.
Best friend Gab gave her life back
to Christ again this past week.
Glory. We still talk.
Sade & Me, 2005. Talked to Sade in February
of this year after scrounging up her phone
number from friends.
Shana & Me, 2006. Me & Shana met with
Bre [below] and another friend sometime
last year and had a "reunion" at Chili's. It
was really fun.
Me & Bre, 2006. This was at a football game.
We had crazy-fun together.
Bre, Me & Shana, 2006. My old friends. I do miss 'em.
Shana actually ended up transferring to another school.
God forgive me for any wrong I've done in thy sight. Have mercy upon my soul O God, according to thy lovingkindness. Wondering what the success of/key to friendships is. Praying for authentic godly love friendships in my life and in the lives of God's people. I thank You Jesus for the godly friendships that you have blessed me with thus far and help me to continue to pray for those who are still lost. Thank You, Jesus.
Luke 9:25
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Lord I love You,
Whitney
Oh how I feel your heart for we are kindred spirits indeed! I to had to step away from friendships once I made a life decision. It's hard and it hurts. I miss my friends to. Some of my close friends were even family which makes it even harder. But to stay strong I had to stay away for awhile. I'm strong in the Lord now, though when I get around my family I still feel that pull which I always just loath. Maybe that is the "thorn in my flesh" that Paul talks about?? Keeps us forever wrapped close to Jesus and I'm thankful for it. Boy do I need Him! Every moment! I LOVE your blog!!
ReplyDeleteBless you, sister. Hope you got the comment I left on your blog. Hope to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteWhitney
This reminds me when I got saved... I did the same thing you did.... but I stopped doing that and ended up trying to befriend everyone... I thank God he is starting to show me balance... If you knw a person is doing something that could cause u to fall u need to think twice about hanging out with that person but if you know you can be a freind to that person and not fall that is a wonderful thing... just like you I cut off a lot of people I should not had cut off... but thank God for his mercy and forgiveness
ReplyDeleteGregory,
ReplyDelete"befriend everyone>>" yeah that can be dangerous as well. as, everyone is not going to receive our heart nor should we offer it up to strangers.
the key here brother, as you've said and one i've been clinging to this past week = BALANCE. i am so GLAD you said that.
BALANCE << this is for believers. BALANCE! Praise God we can learn to be present where people are and not lose ourselves in the midst.
bless you.
whit