Cheers To The Good Ones
While working on a special project, I read through some of my old posts from my first personal blog which is no longer live. It reminded me that sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of daily life that we sometimes forget what it important. So I decided to re-post this piece to remind people to take time to appreciate the people in life who make the journey special.
Originally Posted January 1, 2017
As I say good riddance to last year, there is one of many blessings that stands out above the rest. My inner circle of friends really came through for me. For me, 2016 was scarred with illness, grief, depression and one crossroad after another with dark clouds hovering over each option. Overall it was far from a good year.
Thank God for true friends who take the journey with you. The Bible talks about Jesus being the friend who never leaves your side. Sometimes the love of God needs to be felt in the form of another human being that you can touch physically. My inner circle stepped up in every aspect I needed.
When I needed to talk in the middle of the night, they were just a phone call away. When I was stressed out and needed a road trip, we hit the highway. When I was dealing with the illness of my loved ones, a local sports bar hosted our venting sessions. When I was diagnosed with a life altering disease, I was overwhelmed with encouragement and support. When my dad died, I was covered in love manifested in ways I never expected. When I was severely depressed my friends lifted me up. When I couldn’t work, my friends and family provided a safety net.
There have been many times when the pressures of everything coming at me at once was just too much. I know I wasn’t thinking straight all the time. I know sometimes my friends looked at me sideways like “REALLY!?!” and loved me any way. Even when we weren’t together in person I was supported with calls, texts, prayers, gifts and indirect methods to keep me going.
I’m still weathering the storm but at this moment in time, I am thinking clearly. So I wanna take a moment to address my imperfections and say thank you. If I’ve done anything to offend you, please forgive me. If I’ve taken too long to say thanks, know that your efforts are appreciated and your blessings are in the pipeline headed straight for you.
To my inner friendship circle, cheers to you. For every phone call, text and prayer you shared with me and for me, thank you. For every meal we shared while discussing our issues, thank you. Maybe you played bartender or deejay, thank you. Maybe you called me out on my foolishness when I was doing the most, thank you. Maybe you helped me type when my grief wouldn’t let me see through the tears, thank you. Maybe you lifted me up when depression weighed me down, thank you. Maybe you traveled many miles to help me, thank you. CHEERS to all the good friends who personify the love of God when we need it.
My friends are far and few but the ones I have stay true. Jesus walks with me 24/7 and His spirit unites my inner circle. So even though 2016 was not a great year, I am grateful for having friends who carried me through it when I struggled to walk alone.
I am hopeful that 2017 will be much better. I pray that I can be such a great friend to my peeps in their times of need as they have been to me. Thank you and God bless!
