"A friend loves at all times." - Proverbs 17:17
Being a friend .. an honor, a privilege, a hug from heaven. In the past few weeks, the Lord is teaching me the joy of cultivating friendship. To love lavishly, and live drenched in His love, splashing others around me.
A sopping wet adventure in His love awaited me this week. A friend (the one who designed this blog, Jill) needed a hug, one who I had yet to meet in person. Imagine my joy when the Lord asked me to go and deliver His hug from His heart!
Now, join with me in the adventure as I learned a few things (as I transition to the US - remember only been here a few weeks).
1. When driving 12 hours in a day, remember to bring a friend to keep you talking and giggling along the way (Wendy, couldn't have done it without you)!
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" - Ephesians 4:10
2. Prayer is powerful, especially when you haven't driven in 5 years and now are taking a road trip through 3 states in a rental car.
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
3. When going through toll booths, DON'T SLAM on your brakcs. Others will honk at you even if you have no idea what you are doing!
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - Psalm 20:7
4. Laugh, laugh, laugh and enjoy the beauty of friendship!
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." - Job 8:21
5. Even if you stayed up way too late, there is always time for one more hug!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
- Psalm 107:1
The Lord is challenging me ... maybe He's whispering to your heart as well. What can we do to lavishly share His love this week. The joy of hearing HIs voice and walking in surrendered obedience is priceless. How can I be His hands and feet to my family, my friends, this nation? How can I live His love each and every day? Who in your life needs a a hug from heaven today?
45 comments:
Beautifully written. I love that God asked you to do something for him and you obeyed with love. Inspiring.
Friendship is priceless! I hope you had a wonderful time on your trip. I have found that the only way I truly can love others more is by receiving God's love for me. The more I walk in His love, the more love I have to give!
Great Post Sarah Dawn!
Amen...true friends are one of life's treasures...enjoyed your list of "5"...especially liked the last one...a simple hug can do so much....
Friendship is a beautiful treasure, straight from Gods heart. Sending you great big hugs and love sweetie.
Treasure from heaven - that is what my time with you was and meant to me!
You blessed me and I thank God for your heart willing to deliver a much needed hug!
You are a rare gem Sarah Dawn and one that shines the light of Jesus brilliantly!
I love you and cherish the friendship God has given us! I look forward to all the ways He will call us to deliver His love to each other, our families and those He knows needs it!
BIG HUGS and thanks for the laughs!
Jill
So glad you got to meet Jill, Scott and the kiddos! Aren't they all so sweet?! I could kiss the cheeks of all of those kids all day! Good luck venturing back into driving in the US - especially the northeast :)
I love the thought...finding ways to lavish His love on those around you.
Thanks, Sarah Dawn!
♥Hope
What a beautiful post. Thank you...
SO beautiful! You're a good friend, and a blessing, I'm sure!
As I am waiting in the Airport for my flight home I am reading this post and thanking God that He allowed me to spend the last 4 days with you! This will be a trip I will not forget and will keep my laughing for a long time.
So beautiful! You're a good friend and a blessing, I know!
What a blessing!!! And what timely words... blessings to you!!!
Such a beautiful post. I'm so thrilled that you had the opportunity to give your friend a Hug and that God blessed you in the process of being a blessing to her! Looks as if God is making your transition a little smoother, huh? :-D
God bless
These are great and I love the verses you put with each one, which shows again that God's word has something for us no matter what the situation!
Looks like you guys had a blast! HOW FUN!
You are inspiring! Sounds like you are having a good time! Sharing His love has definitely been on my mind lately. There are so many people that need to feel His love..
I was delighted to read about this precious meeting on Jill's blog, too! Rejoicing with both of you...and Wendy, too! :) God knits hearts together in His love...even in Bloggityville. :)
So glad you splashed each other! :) And thankful He kept you safe on your journey!
(you were 40 minutes from us!)
Hope you liked PA!
Hugs,
Sharon
Oh I can think of two special people who are minutes from being hugged. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm having a selfish moment right now; I'm the one in need of the hug.
smooches,
Larie
Sarah Dawn,
What a beautiful treasured tribute to the joys of friendship! I think we could all use more of those!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
What a beautiful post you wrote and what a besutiful thing you did for you friend, and the friend of yours for you.
You are surrounded with amazing people. God is blessing you much!
Sarah Dawn, I read about your visit with Jill over on her blog. What a blessing to meet in person. You two are such beautiful examples of Christian women and moms. So glad you had an awesome time in Christ together.
Hugs,
Mimi
Sisters in Christ are so precious!
He pours love into our hearts, so full until it overflows. No wonder, we can have the capacity to love others and create friendships. Those are beautiful pictures of warm friendships...Glory to God for His wonderful gift of friendships, even the ones we share in this blogosphere. God bless.
That is so beautiful...what a gift from the LORD our friendships are!
I was so excited to read on Jill's blog about her surprise! I love the photos. You all look like instant friends. Isn't it fun like that in our bloggy world? We get to know one another so well and of course, our common love for the Lord.
Your joy is contagious Sarah. I am blessed over and over again with the beautiful friends the Lord has placed in my life. I want to be a loving friend too. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Bless your heart!
Hi Sarah Dawn,
That was a lovely post dear!
You are right friendship is a wonderful treasure. And we should love lavishly and without reserve.
It's a wonderful thing!
Glad you are doing well and adjusting to being back in the states.
Blessings to you and yours,
Nellie
God blesses us with special people and with hugs. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I loved the pictures, the tidbits of laughter and the beautiful verses.
thanks. this post splashed me with smiles.
That is so sweet. I loved the pictures of you, Jill and your friend.
Lovely photos and how special is friendship!
Love Collette xxx
Life without friends is like loosing a kidney
How precious that you would make such a sacrifice of your time to love on a friend. What a wonderful example to all of us!
Leah
Sarah Dawn,
Love the post, love the SURPRISE!!
Your words have joined with the message that the Lord has been speaking to my heart, concerning friends.
I was reunited with a friend (by telephone yesterday, thanks to Facebook). She and I were at one time very, very close . . . life happened . . . and the military . . . and we lost touch. She has been through sooo much since we lost touch, and she is hurting. She sought me out, and she knows that it is the Lord who has brought us back together for this time. Please pray that I will know how to pour into her hurting heart.
I have to share this quote from Max Lucado that happened to be on my little flip calender last week (in God's perfect timing!)--it totally sums up your heart towards Jill, and what I feel the Lord speaking to me . . .
"There is a time for risky love. There is a time for extravagant gestures. There is a time to pour your affections on the one you love. And when the time comes--seize it, don't miss it."
Thank you Sarah Dawn for seizing the opportunity! I pray that I will do the same--as the Lord leads!
Love,
Tina
Sweet. How wonderful.
Sarah Dawn,
Precious sister and friend. Your lavish love for the Lord and for people is evident in everything that you post. I'm so glad that you were able to have this special visit.
Many blessings,
Sarah
Hey Sarah Dawn, I love this. a friend is like a 'hug from heaven.' Totally postive post that inspires me to go love the world. thanks for this. and thanks for being you. I think you're totally awesome. Sarah
Wow such an awesome post, reminds me of the book Friendships of Women by Dee Bristen...
God gives us seasons of wonderful friendship..He is so awesome..
I enjoy reading your blog
Blessings!
Sounds like God's been using "friends" as a channel for His amazing grace. Blessings sweet friend!
I am so glad God has blessed you with good friends! I am so grateful for mine, both the in-the-skin and online friends.
That laughter and joy we feel when with a friend, I wonder how it foreshadows the friendship we will have in Christ someday?
Hey girl
I have a cool award for you over at my blog!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hey Sarah
I wanted to say that you look wonderful in these photos. I know it's been a long time, but you look good!
Also, thanks for this reminder.
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
Sounds like quite a day. I believe that you must have received a lot of love in return for the love you gave. Great how it works that way, isn't it?
beautiful friendship, hope we could be friends too!
Nostalgic Marveling
Etcetera Etcetera
Spice up your LIFE!
Obstacles & Glories
What a beautiful post Sarah Dawn!! Distributing His love in our friendships!! What a way to cultivate them!!
neat!! i read her blog too.... i didn't know you were friends!!
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