Friends

In keeping with the theme of things I am thankful for, I thought I would write something about all my friends who have been there for me throughout the years, as well as those whom I have known for just a short time. Of all the things we have in life, friends are one of the great gifts that make life enjoyable and help us to live it to the fullest. To have no money or earthly possessions would be sad, but to have no friends would be a far sadder thing indeed.

I have been blessed throughout the years with some great friends. Friends who I could always count on to be there for me and support me no matter what I may be going through. Much of what I have learned in life about self-sacrifice and unconditional love has come from my friends. Just as our parents model behavior for us in our early years, our friends do the same throughout our lives. I have been blessed over the last seventeen to eighteen years to have friends who modeled what it means to be a follower of Christ. I just pray my daughter finds the same type of friends who encourage her to be all that God desires for her to be.

I was reminded of how great it is to have friends over the past two weeks as some of our friends have come by to see our new baby and have brought us dinner and gifts. I hope they all know how much it is appreciated and how much we love them. Even friends we have not seen lately have made a point to come and share with us and we are very grateful. Some of our friends are separated by great distance, but they are close in our hearts. Thank you all for all you do and for who you are.

To all of my awesome friends, you know who you are, I am eternally grateful to have you in my life. I am truly a blessed man.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:3-4