Keep your friends close and your family closer

 

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Family Closer

Hi friends, it’s Joyce from the YMCA!

That’s right, I consider you all my friends.  If you take the time to read what I write, we must be friends.  I have friends from many places as I’m sure you do as well.  I have my friends at the YMCA.  I see them most days.  I know about their families, and they know about mine.  There are also my friends at church, school, or in my neighborhood.  We exchange greetings, information, and prayers.  Of course, there are my Facebook and Instagram friends.  Sometimes I know too much about them.  But it is nice to see their pictures and posts.  I have friends from childhood, High School, former jobs, also friends through my husband. Friends come and go but they each leave behind a memory, some good and some bad.

The definition of friend is: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. 

Here are some ways to tell your friends that they matter: 

Great friends are few and far between. thanks for being there for me!

Through thick and thin, we've always been friends.

Here's to many more years of being best buddies!

So blessed to have you in my life!

When I count my blessings, you're always at the top of the list. So glad we're friends.

Notice anything missing from those statements.  That’s right, where is the LOVE!

I realize that not everyone was raised in a family filled with love.  But I was and I’m thankful for the bond I have with my parents, sisters, and brother.  We have a group text where we send our joys and concerns to each other almost daily.  In Ephesians 2:10 Paul tells us that, “Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it."  Yes, He put you in your family at this time in history and has plans for you.

The definition of family is: a term that describes the members of a household who are linked by marriage or bloodline.

Now I’m not here to preach to you, but I do know a thing or two about family.  My sisters and I have the same eyes and laugh but that’s about all.  We do things differently and have different likes and dislikes.  Linda likes mushrooms!  If you know me, you know I don’t eat fungus.  I have raised three daughters and they are all different in looks and personalities.  But they are family. We accept each other in spite of our differences.  Why?  Because we love each other.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all people, in all cities and schools, in every state and country, and throughout the whole world, would treat each other like family.  Look past the differences, to what we have in common, and work together to bring peace to our world.