Category Archives: Friendship

April 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

Maybe I’ve Judged Jack Bauer.


My friend Shari left this morning on a red-eye flight back to Florida.  But, not before she made me sit through an episode of 24. 

Sorry friends.  I’ve never really made friends with Jack.  None the less, she managed to shush me the entire hour.  Then, she sneezed over and over again during commercials.

For the love.

Despite her obsession for Mr. Jack Bauer, I did enjoy her visit.  And, we did manage to share our hearts and where we felt Christ was leading us.  I also told her the most recent issue God has been dealing with me on.

Judgmentalism.

I know, right?  It seems like I would have already dealt with this by now.  I’m not sure how God deals with you, but He doesn’t seem to play around with me.  Remember this post?  At first, God whispered to me, “See people the way I see people.”

Oh, I totally got that.  For a while.

Then, without even realizing it, I’d make a judgment on someone again.  And, I know – I’m completely uncovering myself here.  But, it’s true.  I’d judge them for not making what I thought was a Godly decision or for walking in disobedience. 

Until.

Until, God started showing me how ugly it all was.  It was as if He put my judgments in my face and said, “Isn’t this ugly?”

It was.

I was convicted.

I’m becoming more and more conscious of it now.  Perhaps, it’s kind of like forming a habit.  You practice and practice not judging until you finally really see people the way He sees people.

As His children.

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January 26, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Safe Place.


I’ve been blessed over the years to have people in my life who are a safe place for me.  By safe place, I mean friends who let me be Dusty without passing judgment.  I can tell anything to these friends and know that my words – my feelings – spoken in confidence will remain in confidence.  These same friends can speak into my life when I am out of line, because they truly love me. 

They would never let me wear bulky shoes with a feminine dress.  Nor would they let me eat a hot Krispy Kreme donut all by myself.  And, they would never, ever uncover any yuck part of me. 

Whenever we uncover another, we create a path of destruction for that person to have to travel down.  Unfortunately, I have had moments in my life where I have done just that. 

But, I have learned from those moments.  And, I have become a safe place for others.

I’m grateful for these safe places.

Do you have a safe place?  Are you a safe place for someone else? 

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December 17, 2008 · 6:00 am

I love Jesus and Santa Claus.


The title of this post is courtesy of a comment my dad left on my blog yesterday.  In the spirit of Christmas traditions, Dad simply said his favorites were “Jesus and Santa Claus.”  Way to go, Preacher.  Way to go. 

Unfortunately for Dad, he probably won’t love Santa Claus this year due to some serious financial cut-backs and such.  I reminded Dad of the recession at the North Pole.  He responded with a resounding, “I have everything I could ever want.”  And, the readers say, “Awwwwww.”

Truth be told, many are feeling the effects of our current economic climate.  Howevah, we still live in the most blessed nation on.the.planet.  Perhaps, this is a good holiday season to think beyond big, bright packages with ribbons and bows and enjoy the people God has placed in our lives.  

This year, why don’t we all decide to make some extra indulgences into spending time with those who make our world go ‘round.  Maybe use a little less sarcasm with a family member.  Tell that friend WHY you love her.  Play an extra game of UNO with your son.  These are the moments that last.  All of the tangible gifts will fade away. 

“’Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.  Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.’”  – Dr. Seuss ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’.

And, a big Happy Annniversary to Mom and Dad.  My greatest two examples of living out a life rich in things that really matter.

How are you going to enjoy the people in your life this Christmas?

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November 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

The art of the handwritten letter.


Now that we can text and e-mail “thank you”, “happy birthday”, and “I love you”, do you think the art of the handwritten letter is history?

Three of my Georgia peaches were out visiting a few weeks ago.

letter-wp2

And, let me tell you.  One of ‘em right now is sittin’ at home saying, “Oh, I can’t believe she chose THIS picture.”  All save Kate.  She only checks her e-mail once a year.  All of this to say (and throw in their picture that they’ve been begging me to post) that we had this exact conversation.  No, no.  Not about what pictures flatter and which ones add ten pounds.  We all know that the camera adds at least that.  We talked about the joys of receiving a handwritten letter.

But, here is the thing.  I have saved most of the letters written to me since I was sporting the converse high tops in the 7th grade.   I have saved very few letters sent via the internet gods.  Only in the past year, have I created web folders for these attempts at the human touch.

 I’m not pointing fingers.  I love the ease and use of typing then pressing “send.”  But, when I received Jennifer’s handwritten note card in the mail upon her return to G-Town, I suddenly remembered why this lost art is so special.  (Now, Sharon and Kate are scrounging for their stationary.)

As far as thank you notes go, I always try to handwrite every one.  I even made Anna sign her name on thank your cards for her recent birthday gifts.  I have the feeling I took the “JOY” right out of the “ART” with my obsession on her starting her “A” far enough to the left as to leave room for the “N”, “N”, and “A”.  Blessed be the name.  No pun intended.

Do you still send handwritten letters?

Do you still have old letters sent to you from your younger years? 

(Necessary Note:  Bonnie Spencer, your posted picture is coming soon.  And, yes.  I still have all of your letters.)

 

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October 22, 2008 · 6:00 am

I love my friends.


I got the best friends y’all.  Between my Facebookers, Myspacers, Twitterers, Bloggy Readers, E-mailers and Old-Fashioned Cell Phone Callers (since when is that one old-fashioned?), I had the biggest, bestest lovey birthday. 

It certainly wasn’t on account of my youngest.  Remember how I boasted on my favorite gifts yesterday?  Well, Miss Anna made sure I didn’t think the day was ALL ABOUT ME.  From the spanking correction before we left to go the mall to the “We’ve Arrived At The Mall Correction”, I knew it was not gonna be a pleasant “lunch date.” 

Nothing like carrying 33 pounds in a mall listening to background music that went something like this.

“I don’t want a spanking!  I don’t want a spanking!”

And, you know at this point, you have to evaluate the entire discipline situation.  One, the mall restrooms are never right around the corner.  And B, you just think it might be best to say, “If you stop yelling, I won’t spank you!”   I tried B but was forced to find that restroom.

The Lord liveth.

Back to me lovin’ my friends.

For real, y’all.  I am blessed.  Whoever findeth a friend findeth a good thing.  Is that scripture? I think so.  I can’t remember, and I’m too lazy to look it up right now. 

Nevertheless, God has placed within each of us a need for each other.  He never intended for us to do life alone.  A big part of His relationship with us is through one another. 

I love that.

I believe that.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

My braided cord is strong.  We can’t do life well without each other. 

I need you.  You are one of my favorite gifts, too. 

Thank you for being a friend. Travel down the road and back again.  Your heart is true.  You’re a pal and a confidant.  (Feel free to use that one.)

Can you imagine life without friendship?

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October 3, 2008 · 6:00 am

Help!


“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

It’s hard to carry another’s burden when you don’t know what that burden is.  Asking for help is not one of my strong suits.  I’m not sure if it’s pride or just not wanting to bother a friend.  But, I have a really hard time asking someone to give up his or her time. 

When we help one another, we fulfill the law of Christ?  Really? 

Sounds to me like we need to start leaning on each other a little more.

What do you think?
Do you have a hard time asking for help?

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