Several times, I have heard Pastor John or Pastor Erik talk
about the kids worship in North Country at West Ridge. Since my husband is the
drummer for the worship team, I have somewhat of an inside scoop and he often
tells me I should pop in and experience how the kids worship. I finally took
him up on his offer and sat in during kids worship one week. I sat in the back,
because that’s how I do, and observed the kiddos singing praises to God. During
a slower song I caught this beautiful picture that made me tear up.
I look up and see two little girls standing next to each
other holding hands and swaying together. I know these sweet girls on somewhat
of a personal level and as I watched them my heart was so filled with joy and I
thought to myself, “This is what I want my friendships to look like!” And then
I snagged a little video to share with their momma’s because I mean… come on!
I am sure I am not the only one who struggles with
friendships. Especially in adulthood. When you are 9, friendships can be mostly
easy. As you get older friendships get harder. Am I right? I want to be the
type of friend who stands beside you and holds your hand, just because. Hand
holding looks different in adult friendships though.
It looks like bringing
someone a meal or watching her kiddos because she needs sleep to heal.
It looks like staying
after service so she can cry with you because she isn’t sure how she can move
past this hurt, the one that blind-sided her.
It looks like a coffee
date in her “messy” house because she needed a listening ear or just some adult
time.
It looks like ordering
pizza at 10:00 at night because she had an incredibly difficult day and you are
the one that understands.
It looks like a card
sent in the mail just because you are thinking of her. Or a text message with
that verse God gave you.
It looks like sitting
with her on her floor while she sorts two weeks worth of laundry because she
wants to spend time with you but… life!
Holding hands as an adult can look drastically different
than at 9 years old, but the heart is just the same. The heart says I am here,
right beside you, doing life and it’s a joy!
In Exodus 17 it tells the story of Moses having to hold his
arms up to win a battle being fought by the Israelites. Not an easy task, such
is life. I remember learning about this story in the context of friendship and
it struck a chord with me. In verse 12-13 you see that Aaron and Hur come along
side Moses to help him hold up his arms, they stay that way until sunset and
the Israelites are victorious. Without friends like Aaron and Hur, Moses would
have failed and the battle would have been lost. I don’t know about you, but I
am thankful for the Aaron’s and Hur’s in my life when I just can’t hold my arms
up any longer.
“By yourself you’re
unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A
three stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (MSG)
I would like to leave you with this... There was a time in
my life when I felt like I didn’t have these types of friendships. And maybe
you are feeling that way as you read this. I would like to encourage you to ask
God to send these friends to you, to reveal them to you. He did it for me. He will do it for you!
Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni
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