We need each other in this life.
I am convinced that one of satan’s tactics is to isolate us from those who love and encourage us.
HEART-FRIENDS
Heart-friends are formed over years of life together; births, deaths, and everything in between.
Years ago when God built a chain of heart-friends for me, I truly had the revelation how we
were strengthened when we walked hand in hand. I envisioned the waves of the ocean like the waves of life. I knew from experience how easily one person could lose footing when knocked by a big wave, but when holding hands with others we covered more ground and our stability was increased.
Proverbs 27:9
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (NLT)
This past weekend my little family took a quick trip to Carolina Beach. We stayed in a hotel near a location where my friends and I witnessed a man drown years ago.
We were enjoying the beautiful October day. The temperatures were in the 90’s – so it still felt like summer. We had our little camp set up with umbrellas, coolers, books, music … when all of a sudden we heard cries for help that seemed to somehow peek over the normal squeals of laughter and joy from kids playing.
To our left sat the FISHERMEN who had been our enemies during our long vacation — leaving fish heads in front of us, etc … We called on their help as we saw what was happening. A family was caught in a rip-tide. Suddenly everyone jumped into action. Men went out with surfboards and were able to bring in the woman. Meanwhile, my friends and I had formed a prayer chain at the edge of the water. Strangers came up and grabbed our hands as we cried out for God to save these people. We stood there hand in hand.
The father was the furthest out.
I broke the chain while I was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. I saw the man go under for the last time. I began to cry as the operator sat there helpless. It was horrible and shocking.
We later found out that this man who died would never let his wife and kids go to church. God surrounded this family with a team of prayer warriors and a pastor (and his wife) who were there seeking the Lord — needing a miracle themselves.
The family needed people and we needed each other. Again … I was reminded of a time when we held hands for strength. I was grateful to have my friends with me that day!
LIFE
Most people my age have experienced a LOT of life. Spiritual bumps and bruises come over time. Some of us experience our share of deep wounds during our childhood and live out those wounds as years pass. Trust me, it is much easier and sweeter to have people walk with us on this journey.
We need each other. Do you agree? We need friends who will point us to Jesus. We don’t need friends who will pull us away from the Lord or make us stumble. Be careful who you “do” life with. We are to love all people, but pick your friends wisely.
Proverbs 12:26
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.Proverbs 22:24-25
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
Our friends will either encourage us in our faith or pull us down. What type of friends surround your heart?
I am so grateful for my God-given heart-friends!
(Photo was taken this past weekend at the location where we stood years ago at Carolina Beach.)
I also think of as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. We ‘sharpen’ one another, don’t we? Or if we are surrounded by those that are ‘dull’, our sharpness becomes dull also. I think of a tomato. A dull knife will just squish that tomato.I want to be sharp, not bruising others…but touching them with Christ’s love that will pierce their hearts in love, His love transforming them.
I remember that day all too well….and when the EMT personnel were carrying the deceased man away on the stretcher, at the same time a wedding party was entering the beach at the next beach walk…life ends and life begins…I think we were all speechless the rest of the trip.
Thank you for being there for me and helping me through the tough times when the waves have knocked me down and tried to pull me under…I thank God for a sweet precious friend like you!! God is good and faithful and knows who and what we need in our lives for sure. I love you sweet friend!!
-Seachele
Yes, I agree Beth. We do need each other. Life is hard but we can encourage one another through each season in our lives. As fellow believers, this is so important. You are a wonderful encourager Beth.
Love you,
Debbie
PS. Such a tragic death for this man. We had a near drowning at our school several weeks ago. I wasn’t working that particular week but a five year old went under and was resuscitated by the lifeguard. It was very traumatic for all.
I am thankful for you, sweet sister! I’ve said it before but it bears repeating…without you (a gift straight from God), I would NEVER have made it through the most difficult time in my life…you were there to hold my hand and not let me get swept away by those waves. Love you!
P.S. I will never forget that day…
There’s no doubt we need each other; God made us that way…..
I couldn’t get along without my buddies….my spiritual sisters in Christ…….
This is such a tragedy……a soul lost forever…..So glad you and your friends were able to minister to this family…..
Bless you for sharing your faith whenever needed…..
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy (I almost drawn at the same beach when I was 12 years old…I grew up about 50 miles from there….bad under currents both there and at WRightsville Beach…..
Some of the members of our prayer team did hold up the woman when she sat on the beach. I wonder what ever happened to that family. I’m thankful you didn’t drown Nancy. I love the ocean so much, but I don’t trust being out in it more than waist deep. Bless you.
I’m blessed to have YOU as one of my very encouraging “heart friends”. I definitely need and have benefitted from your friendship to help me through tough times, and to cheer me on in this faith walk. Love you!
Friends who are really there for us, in our good times and bad times, thru thick and thin and friends who will not put us in danger. are the friends that we should stick on. I also believe that Jesus is pointing us the way to meet them if we ask for some guidance from Him. I really agree with you and thank you for the story you told us.
Thank you for visiting me and commenting. I went to your printing web site. Bless you!
I agree! I just remembered that I never sent you that email about the company with which we surround ourselves. My feeble mind….
Glad y’all got to make that trip to the beach at least once this summer. What a powerful story!!
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