I have a friend named Mikki. She is my former pastor's wife and an awesome woman of God. She is a constant source of encouragement and a blessing in my life. She has a brand new website called Fully Alive that is very lovely--much like she is! A few months ago she wrote a beautiful poem on friendship and I would like to share it with you. It has deeply touched my heart.
My Tribute to Those Who Would Take the Journey of "Real" Friendship
My friend is hope.
My friend is a window into the future.
My friend…you are someone who having no guarantee of receiving an equal gift from me digs deep within your own soul to say with actions louder than words – you love me.
My friend is someone who looks into my shame, failure, and pain and says, “I’ll carry you through it when you can’t walk, and then I’ll walk on with you.”
My friend…you are someone who is willing to be identified with me when it costs you part of your own identity.
My friend is an expression of Christ in the flesh
-feeling my wounds yourself
-massaging healing oil into my heart with your own hands
-taking my dirt and blood onto your own hands because you want to touch my heart and bring healing.
My friend looks into my heart and says, “I know you, and I cherish who you are.”
My friend sacrifices what the world says is not worth giving to anyone else
–time
-money
-energy
-words of care
-reputation
To impart into the realm of my eternal being
-kindness
-love
-hope
-belief
-affirmation.
My friend’s love is overwhelming
-washing over me like the healing rains of spring bringing life and resurrection to the dead places of winter in my soul
-willing to be gentle and slow rain so as not to wash away the seeds God has planted.
My friend stands at my tomb and shouts, “Come forth! There is more life for you, and I want to live it with you.”
My friend gives to me when I have nothing left to give
-and I receive.
I receive
I receive you
-my friend
- into the most barren, risky places of my heart where I’ve not received
anyone in a long time.
I open my heart freely to receive.
I really can’t say, “Thanks” and express my heart because what I feel is so deep.
I just receive and enjoy the living water I feel inside me helping me to live again.
I love you my friend in a way perhaps I have been unable to before but my pain and the light of God’s truth has shown me
-I need to receive
-I need
-I need…
…. You.
by Mikki Lawrence
My Tribute to Those Who Would Take the Journey of "Real" Friendship
My friend is hope.
My friend is a window into the future.
My friend…you are someone who having no guarantee of receiving an equal gift from me digs deep within your own soul to say with actions louder than words – you love me.
My friend is someone who looks into my shame, failure, and pain and says, “I’ll carry you through it when you can’t walk, and then I’ll walk on with you.”
My friend…you are someone who is willing to be identified with me when it costs you part of your own identity.
My friend is an expression of Christ in the flesh
-feeling my wounds yourself
-massaging healing oil into my heart with your own hands
-taking my dirt and blood onto your own hands because you want to touch my heart and bring healing.
My friend looks into my heart and says, “I know you, and I cherish who you are.”
My friend sacrifices what the world says is not worth giving to anyone else
–time
-money
-energy
-words of care
-reputation
To impart into the realm of my eternal being
-kindness
-love
-hope
-belief
-affirmation.
My friend’s love is overwhelming
-washing over me like the healing rains of spring bringing life and resurrection to the dead places of winter in my soul
-willing to be gentle and slow rain so as not to wash away the seeds God has planted.
My friend stands at my tomb and shouts, “Come forth! There is more life for you, and I want to live it with you.”
My friend gives to me when I have nothing left to give
-and I receive.
I receive
I receive you
-my friend
- into the most barren, risky places of my heart where I’ve not received
anyone in a long time.
I open my heart freely to receive.
I really can’t say, “Thanks” and express my heart because what I feel is so deep.
I just receive and enjoy the living water I feel inside me helping me to live again.
I love you my friend in a way perhaps I have been unable to before but my pain and the light of God’s truth has shown me
-I need to receive
-I need
-I need…
…. You.
by Mikki Lawrence
Comments
Heather
Give my thanks to your friend.
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
smiles, kari & kijsa