Friday means looking at the word prompt and joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Many of us writing on that same word.
Today’s prompt is … Lift.
This past week, an old friend called. We talked on the phone for well over an hour sharing and catching up on everything we could think of and fit into a phone call. Tears streamed and laughter rolled, making it seem like just yesterday that we had been together.
It was probably about 32 years ago that our paths crossed and our friendship began. Our pastor at the time said we were just like David and Jonathon, friends that were tightly knitted. There was no way he could ever know how prophetic those words would turn out to be.
Lift > to raise or direct upward, as defined by dictionary.com.
Years ago the friendship lifted me in ways I did not even know I needed. She lifted my eyes to look toward Jesus. She lifted my spirits and made me laugh at times when I did not think I would ever laugh again. And she lifted me up in prayer when I could not utter a word in prayer.
Much like Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses, she held me up in prayer when I was tired or just flat out ready to give up. She stayed the course until the battle was won.
And we’ve been doing this for each other ever since …
“Moses arms soon became so tired that he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” (Exodus 17: 12-13, NIV)
Sometimes we need lifting. Other times we need to be the ones who lift. But the lift is often comes in the form of friendship – deeply rooted in the love of Christ. It is there we discover –
“You raise us up to more than I can be.”
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Friday and Grace & Truth and Faith ‘N Friends and Fresh Market Friday .
Lovely. Lifelong friends are such a blessing; I’m glad you were able to spend some time with yours. Visiting from FMF #25.
Peace
They are both a blessing and a comfort.
Joanne, those kinds of friendships are GIFTS. I’ve been privileged to be part of a group of friends. I say we “do life together.” We’ve been there for each other in the ups and downs of life. We pray for each other, celebrate each other and encourage each other to grow in our relationships with the Lord. I love being on the “lifting” side. It’s harder (more humbling) to be the one needing lifting. But isn’t that how God works? We get to experience both sides of that teeter totter. 🙂
Jeanne, these sort of friendships truly are a gift. And I think we need to experience both sides as that is the way we grow – in love for God and for each other. But like you, I would rather be on the “lifting” side 🙂
What a blessing to have friends who lift us up and encourage us! Blessings to you Joanne!!
It truly is and I want to be that sort of friend to others as well. Have a wonderful weekend!
What a blessing to have a friend who lifts you up. (And I just glanced up and saw Deb’s comment!) I have friends like that, too. They are gifts of grace … and their words are often just what I need … just when I need them. <3
Dianne, I love how you described the friendship as “gifts of grace”. It is so very true!
Joanne I have been blessed to have a friend like that for over 20 years. No matter how long we have been apart, we can just pick up without out missing a beat. We encourage and uplift each other. I thank God for a friend like him. God knows just what we need and when we need it. He blesses us with friends who lift us up. I am thankful that God walks beside us both. Thank you for reminding us of God’s presence and how He uses our friends to encourage and inspire. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings
Horace, you are so right. The best part is picking up with one another without missing a beat. I am glad you have a friend like that as well. Blessings!
What a great connection to that wonderful OT story!
What a wonderful story, Joanne, and topped off with a lovely rendition of “You Raise Me Up”! (And I’m a bit embarrassed, because my musical offering was “Kung Fu Fighting”. Oh, well.)
#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/08/your-dying-spouse-192-ki-to-lift-fmf.html
Andrew, you made me laugh this morning and of course, I had to come on over and listen 🙂 That’s the beauty of fmf – we never know what direction the prompt will take us! Never be embarrassed. I loved it!
Oh how I love the song and your post! What a sweet gift God has given you in this friend. And isn’t His timing awesome!!