Ways You Can Encourage Your Friend
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Exodus 17:11-12
There Is Nothing Like A Good Friend!
In Exodus 17:11-12 we see two companions of Moses, Aaron and Hur, standing alongside Him through a battle. When Moses raised his hand with the rod of God they were winning, but when his arm grew tired, and started to stoop they were losing. So Aaron and Hur stepped in, and helped raised Moses hand. They were all in the battle together. In the end they all won.
Sometimes I feel that my friends symbolically do the same thing. Whether it’s through a random text, a word of encouragement, or a phone call, it can be like a breath of fresh air at just the right moment. These thoughtful friend moments makes me pause with appreciation, knowing that God is intervening on my behalf, letting my friends know, “Hey, Grace could use a pick me up.”
I cherish all the ways my friends outwardly express love to me, but the thing I covet the most is quality time. It goes beyond words and is irreplaceable to me.
I know it’s surprising (sarcasm, sarcasm) but I have moments of being tired, of feeling blah, don’t we all? In this life there will be moments of highs and lows, loneliness and security, joy and sadness. I am glad we don’t have to travel this life alone, and so very thankful for those who I value deeply enough to give the title of friend.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17
Some Ways To Encourage Your Friends
Hang out with them: Watch a movie together
Go shopping together: even if it’s grocery shopping
Make them something
Send a note
Remember them on their birthday
Go out/invite them over for coffee/dessert
Give them a phone call
Celebrate with them
Laugh with them
Be there for them when their hurting
Write them a letter
Set goals together: Encourage each others strengths
Serve together
To be a friend, is to share life with another, through the good, the hard, and the ugly. It is to stand alongside another and fight with them in this battleground called life, reaffirming another that they are not alone. That their life is worth celebrating and is valuable, so whether it is sharing life with the everyday, grocery shopping trips, or celebrating the big victories and milestones in life join someone else on this journey. Share life events that make the everyday meaningful. Value people, value friendship, and thank God daily for them, because they are AWESOME! :)
Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus