Mixed Media Collage Horse Paintings by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

Curb Sitters
Contemporary Art Children Oil Painting by Laurie Justus Pace


6 x 6 Oil on Panel
Contact me to purchase: Laurie

"The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the definition of a true friend: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:13-15

Best friends. Do you have a best friend? During different phases of your life, people seem to drift in and out of your journey. God has placed them there for different reasons, to accomplish for them and for you a connection which becomes part of your life story. We all have those "best friends" from elementary school, and maybe even different ones from high school. Most certainly you had different friends after you left home and maybe married? Another group follows as you add children, church, and moves with jobs. How many lives do you cross and touch in a life time?

One of the more remarkable friendships in the Old Testament, was the relationship between David and Saul's son Jonathan. Despite Saul trying to kill David, Jonathan stood by his friend.

"After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town." Samuel 20:41-42.

All through the book of Proverbs are verses of wisdom regarding friends. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

Another favorite of mine is in Amos. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3. Friendship is a sharing of time in a relationship. Simply put that relationship is only as good as the two people choose to make it. It requires time investment as well as emotional investment. With a true friend you can always be yourself and never fear the other will judge you. You can confide in them with total confidence and complete trust. Respect runs between the two of you and is not based upon worthiness of actions or likeness of minds.

Now thinking about what I just said, do you view God as your friend? Are you His friend? Do you have a relationship that you invest in just as He does? Can you trust Him with total confidence and complete trust?

Just a reminder as you begin your week, to have a friend, you must be a friend.

To my neighbor, Jo, I am not sure who's kids these were but it was from one of the block parties last year!


Believing in Abundance,
Laurie

"The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." Exodus 33:11