Our Friend

It's often said that anything worth having is worth the effort to accomplish it. 
I'm wondering if this applies in friendship? 
Maybe I'm trying to convince myself that if I have to try then it isn't meant to be? 
Working hard to organize my stuff, maintain the garden or balancing my checkbook is predictable. 
When I put in the effort, I can see the results. 
The satisfaction of a job well done is fulfilling.

 Growth.
These places of care don't require working with the unpredictable nature of the heart. This is where the expected meets the unknown. 
If I plant vegetables, water and fertilize consistently, I will receive a harvest. 
A plus B equals C. It's a nice tidy equation. 
In growing a friendship, there are no rules for making this happen. I must enter the fragile unknown places of the heart. 
I can easily be misunderstood or worse, ignored. 
My great need propels me forward and I begin the adventure into friendship-growing. 
Friends can be a great distraction and sometimes that's exactly what's needed. 
But for the long haul, I desire friendships that call me to a better place.

In The Message  the Holy Spirit is called our Friend. 
We are never left alone. 
He is always with us. 
He will make everything plain to us. 
He will remind us of everything God has told us.

Gifts.
God has created us for relationship and as I seek a friendship with Him, I find fulfillment, which in turn grows the depth of relationship with others. I experience a rich place of connection that flows out of my time with Him. The effort is great, yet in my willingness to submit and yield, the sweetest fruit is realized. A dear and treasured gift emerges in friendship. 

Just as the garden changes depending on the season, a friendship forged in connection through our Heavenly Father experiences change. 
When stuff happens, we seek out those who know us and still love us. 
The new bloom of a fresh friendship although exciting cannot be sustained through the winters of life. We seek out relationships that have sustenance because it can be a long cold season. Eventually spring emerges and we are treated to the beauty and splendor of color and fragrance. Everything is fresh and alive.

In life we begin to see change, which grows our hope not in what we have done, but in the powerful and life-giving places God is restoring.

With us.
Are you walking in a season of winter? Or do you feel the hope of spring filling your days? 
God desires to use the winter and spring of our lives. We are never alone, even in the dead of winter. 
Our Gardener is preparing the soil well. 
Taking the time to till in everything we need. 
Our Friend, the Holy Spirit,the Comforter is here with us.

May the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 
2 Corinthians 13:14