Pressing On With People Who Matter!
Moments Etched On My Heart
Barbara L’Italien, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
First, what do I mean by people who mattered? I used to think if you had a lot of friends, you mattered. But the Bible teaches that “faithful are the wounds of a friend”(Proverbs 27:6).
A brief commentary on this verse from Google:
This means we need faithful friends who will wound us, who will say hard things to us because they love us because they care for us. But we don't need to be surrounded by people who are always, to use language from Proverbs 27:6 kissing us, always telling us all the good things about us.
So people who matter to me are the few faithful friends who will help me become more of what Jesus wants, not the many people around me who say, “Hi, how are you today?” and don’t stop for an answer. They are the people who may be friendly but not close friends, one of many who may have a place in my life, but not be in the inner circle. This also helps me determine how much I choose to share with others and protect myself, especially with personal things. Some people genuinely care and will offer counsel, practical ideas, confidentiality, and prayer, while others may only see this as information to gossip about in their circle of many. It is sad, but these types of “friends” are in the church too.
So how do I know who are the people who matter? I have learned when I am in a not-so-good place in my faith - going through some growing pains, grief, struggling - and a person says to me, “Hi, how are you today?” and I reply, “Pressing on,” and they stop and go further with me. “What’s up?” “Can we pray together?” “Do you need a hug?” You know, those endearing replies that say, “you matter.” Those are the people I want in my life, the people “who matter.”
I believe God used my honesty to bring about seasons of friendship where we mattered to each other when those who heard my “pressing on” reply stopped because they really heard what I said. Something was not right, and they were willing to step into the moment with me and share their time, their heart, and their life lessons to help me. Those few friends are still very dear to me. We may not speak for years, but when we do cross paths, our hearts are quickly energized with grace and joy from the deep relationship we hold as sisters in Jesus.
Philippians 3:10-14 are verses I will always treasure as a “moment etched on my heart.”
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
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When I was a new Christian, I was a people watcher. Church life was new to me, and I learned a lot by observation. Some of my lifelong friendships started in small group Bible studies, meeting together weekly for periods of time, learning together, and helping each other in practical ways. We prayed for each other and did life together. Do you have people in your life who matter, and are you a person who matters to someone else? We need both, and it is never too late to start (or re-start) to make this happen!
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.