The Value of Friendship

Throughout the first day of my exams, I had a heavy heart and was unsure as to why I felt that way. By the time I reached the door of my unit, I was in tears. I felt broken and just confused with what happened earlier in the week. My tears turned into cries then eventually into uncontrollable sobs. The reason for grieving is not as important as what I want to share with you here.

God has impeccable timing because He held everything together for me and helped me brave my exams until I got home (without Him, I think I would have been crying in the middle of my exams). When I entered my place, I saw that my friend left notes and her cupcake for me, and guess what? that made me cry even more! (I am such a crybaby!) I love how God uses people in my life to speak to me and shows His love for me even if it's in the smallest way, I greatly appreciate those moments.

My friend wrote me a letter that reads:

           You are a fighter! A warrior princess says the Lord. "Prepare the horse for the day of battle." The things you are experiencing now are meant to get you ready to fight! You'll be facing a lot of great battles but remember that it is not the horse or sword that will hold you up and deliver you on the day of trouble but the Lord Jesus Christ!

          Call upon Him and shout His name! Declare your identity in Christ in front of your enemies! Like David said in Psalms 23, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies!" While the enemies try to distract you, you just "dine with Jesus!" Fellowship with Him. Enjoy His presence! He loves you ETERNALLY, not just "to the moon and back." lol

And it didn't stop there. She really gave me a surprise! And this was on her birthday too!

Upper right: she recently learned what bae actually means. Lower left: a representation of my friend's birthday from last year and this year... there's still a balloon like last year! Lower right: she left around 5 of these post-it notes around my place!

It is such a blessing to have friends who push you closer to God and I believe relationships like that are important to have. The value of friendship is just as important as that of family and much greater than any value we put on love relationships with boyfriends or girlfriends, especially when Jesus is at the center. Sometimes, I might have every reason to feel bitter towards someone or jealous and picking sides, talking behind their backs, but Jesus removes all of that. Each day He gradually changes my heart and allows me to forgive and love others despite what I should feel and even if it doesn't make sense. I value friendship so much to let any outside force break it, because I wouldn't want to lose a friend over little drama and tensions that happen. His love makes me want to love others and just share it! Soon enough, you will forget yourself meaning that it was never about you all along. You will see that there is a greater, bigger picture and God is doing something behind the scenes. It's more than about your life and how you personally feel but about God and other people who are strategically placed in your life. And all you want to do is be a part of what God is doing just to give Him the glory. There is so much more to life than the temporary things of this world.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 2:3-5

That was what my friend reminded me that day when I came home: the beauty of friendships and His love that conquers all. 

All Along (Psalm 51:12)

You were the One I've been waiting for. The Love of my heart's desire, the Joy of my salvation. Why did I have to wait when You were waiting for me all along? You are the One true Love that is perfect and abounding that has unfailingly won my fickle heart over and over. Yet, You still love me despite the countless times I have ran away looking for love in the wrong places, seeking satisfaction in the things of this temporary world. When in fact, happiness was not the need for it was the joy I have desired all along. It can never be found anywhere or in anything of this world but in the Giver of joy Himself. It is when I take delight in my Father and Savior that He restores to me the joy of my salvation. I carry on as I fervently and earnestly seek You above all else with no ulterior motive for my heart knows that it longs for the eternal. As I run to You, there my heart will be pressing on through barriers that hold me to keep me away from You. And when I fall, let it be in the arms of Your love that carries me as a father cradles his daughter to sleep.

You have won the victory in each of my battles in every season. All this time, it was never with my own strength alone but by Your power that pulled me through trials and temptations. I look to the One who is jealous for me and lavishly loves His daughter. I smile from ear to ear at the thought of just how much my Father loves me. I lift my hands as an act of surrender that yearns for His embrace. I want nothing more than the joy and the spirit of freedom.

Every day may You ever be the constant that reminds me that it is Your love. Each moment may You be in the quiet places I find myself in.

Tonight, I was beautifully reminded that it was You all along.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Ps. 51:12)