A Friend’s Example

 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

I met my first Bible believing Christian in childbirth classes with my first child. We lived in the same neighborhood. I remember sitting at her kitchen table with our new babies and she would talk about the Lord like He was an everyday part of her life. In fact, He was, and still is.

Many times her faith encouraged me when God was just opening my eyes to His truths. She set a good example of living our faith.

Here is a list of specific things she did that set a great example for me as I was coming to faith.

1. Read the Bible. She knew what God said because she read and studied His Word.  Psalm 119:11
2. Love your husband. I never heard a harsh or critical word come out of her mouth about her husband. She loved him and was fine with serving him and helping him any way she could. He was good to her and she felt blessed and let me – and him – know it. Titus 2:4
3. Love your children.For her, babies were just the natural flow of things. She never acted as if the birth of a baby had somehow interrupted her life. She rejoiced in the gifts God had given her. Psalm 127:3
4. Live in confidence of God’s promises. I was afraid giving up my income was going to kill us financially when my first child was born. She lived in confidence that God would provide for them. I saw that He did. Psalm 37:5
5. Stop complaining. She did not complain about difficulties or trials. She trusted God. She looked for what He was doing and what He was trying to teach her. She firmly believed He would work it out for her good. Romans 8:28
6. Watch your words.This and #5 are part of the reason I think it is so important to keep reading the Bible. God’s Word reminds us that He rewards the humble one who does things His way. Taking His name in vain, gossip, constant griping, etc., do not edify or build others up. Children, spouses, and friends are all affected by the words we use. Guard the tongue and you guard others. James 1:26, Proverbs 26:28
7. Don’t overdo anything. Too many words. Too much food. Too much spending (or charging). Too much of our company.  Too much of our kids. Too much is, well, too much. Proverbs 10:19, 23:21, 25:17, and Ecclesiastes 5:10
8. Give God the glory.My friend was humble. Humility is not taught in our culture. We start hearing “good job,” even when we haven’t done a good job, at a very young age. We truly can do nothing without the enabling and the direction of God. He is worthy of honor and glory, out loud so others can hear it.  John 15:5  Psalm 30:11-112
9. Show up and be gentle.When we had a big problem, my friend showed up.  Go to the friend in trouble, make eye contact, put a reassuring hand on her, encourage her to keep going. Be filled with grace and mercy. Speak the truth in love. Sometimes an email, a text or a Facebook message are not enough. Ephesians 4:25, 1 Samuel 23:16

Faithful friends are loving friends. She wasn’t perfect but she was faithful.

Are you and I setting a similar example for others?