“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and produce joy to our hearts, because good friends are like an anointing oil that exudes the fragrant incense of the presence of God.” Proverbs 27:9 (TPT)
I’m a mountain girl. However, being born and raised and still living in Texas, I haven’t got the posh of going outside and being greeted by their majestic beauty. Fortunately, when the mountains call, we do our greatest to pack up the entire family (including the dog) and embark on a 15-hour trek to reply the decision. Although it only happens annually, it is completely blissful.
My closest friends learn about my deep love for the mountains. They know that is my joyful place. That’s why last Valentine’s Day was so special. We made a package for a girly trip to the mountains. But these plans quickly modified after the unexpected lack of my beloved mother within the spring.
In the midst of my sadness, certainly one of my sweet friends gave me a present that touched my heart and blessed me indescribably. Before she gave it to me, she said, “I understand how much you’re keen on the mountains. But… I also understand how much you’re keen on coffee, so get this and meet God on the porch swing, for now, until we go on that girls trip. It was a coffee mug wrapped in a wonderful mountain landscape. A thoughtful gift from my sweet friend has kept me calm and comfy on countless mornings.
As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we’re running around searching for ways to make everyone feel special and loved, let’s remember those sweet friendships in our lives which can be such a blessing to us. That friend who all the time checks on you. That friend who can all the time conjure up a smile (or giggle) irrespective of the situation. That friend who forces you out of your comfort zone to develop you and hold you accountable. That friend who makes you a greater wife, mom, sister and all the opposite roles you fill.
These are sweet friends who bring joy to our hearts, and spending time with them is a present in itself. Let’s bless them this Valentine’s Day with easy acts of kindness. Need ideas? Here are 4 simply sweet ways to do it:
Pray for her
Is there anything sweeter than the gift of a praying friend? One of essentially the most powerful ways to bless our friends is to wish for them. Whether they’re facing challenges, entering a latest season or having to make necessary decisions, our prayers are invaluable! Prayer connects us in a profound way as we show our vulnerability and earnestly turn our hearts to the Father.
Here are 4 ways you’ll be able to pray and uplift your precious friends:
Pray that she has peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation present your requests to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Father, I pray that you’ll grant my friend peace. Lead and guide her in line with Your will and Your way. Help her trust you. Amen.
Pray that she seeks wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without blame, and it’s going to be given to you.” James 1:5
Lord, I raise my friend to You. Please give her wisdom and discernment. Help her seek You and find direction in Your precious Word. Let him hide it in his heart. Amen.
Pray that she clings to hope
“But those that hope within the Lord will regain their strength. They soar up on wings like eagles, run and never faint, walk and never faint.” Isaiah 40:31
God, You know my dear friend’s hopes and dreams. You planted them in her heart. Please help her set her sights on you and follow the dreams you place in front of her. Amen.
Pray for Her Healing
“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I’m weak; heal me, Lord, for my bones suffer.” Psalm 6:2
Merciful God, my friend needs healing. You know her exactly and exactly what turns her on. I ask You to bring healing, whether it is Your will, and reveal how I may also help her in need. Amen.
Serve her and her family
“We will all face problems on this life and undergo difficult times, maybe even times which can be simply an excessive amount of to bear. This is after we, as a bunch of believers, can stand side by side in love and repair.” (Galatians 6:2)
After my mother died, a wave of affection really touched my heart. It allowed me to remind myself to breathe, because for days I used to be so sad that I could not catch my breath. An in depth friend then gently told me that anxiety may be a part of bereavement. Her friendship helped me through certainly one of the darkest times of my life. She sent me encouraging messages, offered to assist with the children, and gave me hugs at any time when I needed it. She was such a blessing.
If you’ve got a sweet friend walking through murky waters, reach out and touch her base. Let her know she’s not doing this alone.
Bend your ear
Listening rigorously appears to be a foreign concept lately. At anybody time, there are such a lot of distractions and sounds around us that our ability to pay attention has shrunk to mere nanoseconds. At least it seems so. I, for instance, can say that it is extremely difficult for me to pay attention when there may be a number of noise.
But when someone really takes the time to shut out all of the noise and really listen – it gets noticed! And what a blessing!
When hanging out along with your sweet friends, you’ll want to tip your ear and truly tune in to what they’re saying. Be intentional by silencing your phone or putting it down. Give her time to speak so she feels heard and appreciated. As difficult as it could be, try to not formulate your response (bite your tongue if you have to) and just be present.
Ask thoughtful questions and be real in your approach, asking how you’ll be able to provide support and prayer while offering encouragement. A friend who takes the time to listen and really listen shall be the one to support you in all situations. Appreciate these friends!
Give a thoughtful gift
Are you a present giver? My sister’s love language is gifts, and I can attest to that by saying that she stands out as the best “gift giver” there may be. Anyone who knows her will say the identical. He does this not only in regards to the gift, but about your entire presentation. She goes just a little crazy for Christmas and birthdays and even throws a Valentine’s Day party with crafts for her friends to take home.
Maybe you want giving and receiving gifts. If you’ve got a friend who feels loved once you give her a present, be honest and consider something that might really make her day higher, equivalent to a coffee mug my beloved friend gave me. What really matters to her is the thought behind the gift.
Although I’m not pretty much as good at giving gifts as my sister, I like it once I discover a gift that immediately jogs my memory of a pricey friend. It’s also fun to look at them light up after they receive them. It really blesses us each!
Well, you bought it my friend. Go and bless your sweet friends. Shower them with love and receive their blessings of affection as well. Happy Valentines!
Image credit: ©GettyImages/Simon Lehmann
