Bible Verse: Proverbs 13:20
It was just an ordinary day, clear skies, light breeze. In fact it was a good day to just curl up on the sofa with a good book and enjoy the weather. Mary looked out of her kitchen window as she made a light lunch. She could see Josephs little carpentry shop down the little hill. She smiled as she thought of him.Suddenly, a cool breeze flooded through her kitchen window as she gazed out, it was really cool but not shivery. It felt strange though but Mary carried on making her lunch. Almost immediately a bright light began to shine into the kitchen, she rubbed her eyes together and turned around, "Am I dreaming?" She asked herself.
The light continued to be brighter and very slowly she began to panic.
"Who's there?" she called out. She knew that even though she was alone at home, there was suddenly another presence in her home. She called out again, this time louder "Who's there?" There was no answer.
There was more brightness in the light and it began to glow more than ever now. She stood fixated on a spot and whispered a verse from scripture Psalm 91:5 I will not be afraid of terrors by night or arrows that fly at noon" No sooner had she whispered that verse, a man appeared before her.
His face radiated a deep kind of love and peace, and he looked pleased with her, she knew then that he had not come to hurt her.
He was angel Gabriel and he came specifically to give her a message found in Luke 1:30.
A few days passed and Mary pondered over these things in her heart, her heart bubbled with excitement and with some trepidation too. Sometimes when she was alone, she would throw herself on her mat and weep for joy, when no-one was looking she would pat her tummy and waltz with her special baby. She made up cute and silly lullabies too and then she would wrap her scarves up into little baby shawls and pretend to rock her baby who would be the King of Kings.
Her joy was so full that she could hardly contain her top secret. She knew that as much as she needed to keep it to herself that she wanted to share with somebody.
As soon as she entered into Elizabeth's home, who was also with child at the time, Luke 1:41 says the baby in her womb leaped for joy and she became filled with the holy spirit.
What a blessed friendship!
Friendship is very beautiful when it is real and based on love and trust. The bible says a friend loves at all times. It is so blessed when you can share your innermost and treasured secret with that one person who is truly a good friend. It becomes a beautiful and strong bond when you can be honest with each and completely depend on each other at all times.
Do you have an Elizabeth in your life? Who is your Elizabeth you may find yourself asking? Your Elizabeth is that friend who is truly there for you not only when it is convenient. She looks out for you and deeply desires your happiness and peace. The book of Psalms says but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. She is so close to you, that you both can pass for blood sisters.
Your Elizabeth is a woman with insight. She is very kind, clothed in honesty and draped with self respect and respect for others. She is a friend who truly loves and understands you. She is a wise woman who gives you godly advice every time you have a problem or need some pep talk. Proverbs 13:20 says walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools comes to ruin.
Your Elizabeth is a prudent woman, with good manners. She doesn't contend with you either directly or indirectly, she wears on her head a crown of peace and your heart fully trusts her. She is a woman who forgives easily, a woman of purpose who is comfortable in her own skin and is able to allow you to shine.
She is not at all jealous of your friendship particularly when it feels like you are getting ahead of her in life. When Mary visited Elizabeth, The Holy Spirit moved Elizabeth to know that Mary son would be greater than hers even though her son John was also a miracle baby. Elizabeth was very happy for Mary and with all humility she said to Mary in Luke 1:43 Why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord should visit me? there was no envy found in her at all.Your Elizabeth is able to tell you the truth no matter how ugly but in love. Proverbs 27:5-6 says better is open rebuke than hidden love, wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Your Elizabeth is your person, that one person that you can beat your chest for and say confidently that betrayal will never come from her side of the fence, she will never sow in seeds of discord between you and others based on what you have shared with each other. She is a woman of affection who welcomes all your other friends with open arms and a genuine smile. She is not a hoarder, who prefers to keep you all to herself nor share your friendship with other women.She is very low maintenance in this regard, and distance and time makes her heart grow fonder for you not fussier. No matter how far apart you may be from each other, shes able to pick up where you left off, and understands that sometimes being a phone call or email away is not as easy as it sounds when the business of life takes over.
Your Elizabeth is a morally upright woman, she shuns evil and refuses to speak lies. There is no evil scheming in her heart to bring people down because they have hurt you or her, instead she is a peace maker who seeks to help you resolve conflicts you may encounter with others. She is not a woman who fuels the fire of strife.Your Elizabeth does not care that you are a beam of light and that others are naturally drawn to you, she is happy with your gifting and knows that she herself is carrier of divine light.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor and if either falls down, one can help the other up, but pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up
She is a woman who knows and understands your weakness and helps you through them by correcting you in love when you you fall on the streets of life. She is able to help you through your low moments without you asking for her help and delights to share the highs with you as well. We all need an Elizabeth and should be one to all our friends.
So who is not your Elizabeth?
Proverbs 12:26 says the righteous chose their friends carefully but the way of the wicked leads them astray and 1st Corinthians 12:13 tells us not to be misled because bad company corrupts good manners. Proverbs 22:24-25 also teaches us not to be friends with someone who is easily angered or hot tempered because we can easily begin to imitate them and get ensnared.
Some of the attitudes you should look out for in Un-Elizabethan friends include the following:
That one friend that you really wouldn't mind getting along with but just doesn't quite get you.
A problem shared with her leaves you lower than you were when your mouth was shut.
A pretentious friend whose thoughts are shallow and filled with pride.
A selfish and self centered friend who expects your life to revolve around her.
An opinionated friend who refuses to accept your views on issues or dismisses them as irrelevant.
A Hoarder(someone who prefers that you stay with friends with her alone), quarrelsome and an unforgiving person:
A controlling and manipulative friend who lacks discretion. (a manner of behaving or speaking in a way that can cause embarrassment or distress to people)
Your Elizabeth is drama free, shes not perfect and you may have disagreements but she is able to move past it and love you without playing the blame game.
So maybe you don't have an Elizabeth in your life. Maybe You've never had one. Do not lose hope. Job 16:20 talks about another kind of a good friend, an intercessor who pleads to God everyday for you. He loved you first even before you loved Him or yourself.
Meet with Him regularly and spend more time with Him. You will discover a friendship that goes beyond beautiful because He is a true friend, He never forsakes. In Hebrews 13:5 he gently reminds us that He will never forsake us and Psalm 27:10 goes a step further to say that even if our family forsakes us, He will be right there for us and receive us. What a privilege.
Would you like to know more about Him? The book of John is great place to start.
Remember to also be a good friend to all the women in your life. You cannot receive goodness if you do not give out goodness too.
Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday.
Picture Credit: nataliesapp.com
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