What Character Traits Do You Value Most?

As a young girl, I had a group of friends that I did everything with. We walked to school together, played softball, had sleepovers... Those girls were my introduction to the importance of BEST FRIENDS. I needed them in my life and they needed me. It felt good. To this day, I am still friends with many of them. 36 years and over 700 miles can't break that bond. We are loyal, real and resilient.

As an adult, I have had many friends. Some were for a season and others for a lifetime. What makes the difference? Why can time and distance separate some friendships yet others survive regardless of circumstances? That's a great question. I think it has everything to do with shared values.

Have you ever met someone and instantly knew you would be friends for life? I have been blessed to have that happen on more than one occasion. A couple of them are because the person was so much like me it was almost scary. We just "got" each other. Others, the person couldn't be more different from outward appearances. I'm not real "girly" but a few of my BEST FRIENDS are all girly. One is even rightfully nicknamed Bling!

I don't think it depends on appearance or personality or even where we live. I think it depends on the character traits or values that we value most. God gave all of us certain values or character traits that make us who we are.  For me, the three that I value most are loyalty, authenticity and resilience.  I remain loyal no matter what and expect the same from my friends. I don't care about being perfect as long as I remain authentic and that is what I look for in others. Life is hard and I know that God put a resilience in me because He knew my resilience would inspire others. I tend to love and treasure people who have had to be over-comers/fighters, resilient in tough life circumstances.

Every BEST FRIEND I have, man or woman, possess those character traits. We've all heard, "never judge a book by it's cover", it's all about the content! 

I love all my friends, even those who don't call me "friend" anymore, but when I find those instant, soul touching, BEST FRIENDS, I know immediately that they will be friends for life. Life circumstances can not separate us, moving across the country, having children, not having children, nothing can separate us because like me, they value loyalty, authenticity and resilience.

What character traits do you value most? Do your BEST FRIENDS possess those traits?  Does your spouse posses those traits? I bet they do! When you share values it makes a difference in your relationship.

When Tragedy Strikes... Families Pull Together ... Why Does It Take A Tragedy?

I don't know about in your family, but in mine, our biggest reunions happen at family funerals. I have spent the last few days at my husband's mom's house surrounded by many, many relatives, some of which I had never met in my 25 years in the family. I wish I could say that some amazing family member planned, organized and executed a giant FAMILY REUNION but unfortunately, it took the death of mammaw to bring us all together. Why does it take a tragedy to bring a family together?

As I was lying in bed this morning, I began to think about life and how trials and tragedies are what propels us to reach out. When you get a bad diagnosis at the doctor, you reach out for prayer and support. When a family member passes away, we reach out for comfort from our friends and family. When you lose a job, your home burns down, so on and so on, this is when we do the reaching out or reach out to those affected by one of these tragedies.

We do the same thing with God. When we are hurting is when we really reach out for God. He wants us to reach out to Him all the time. When things are going good we build our relationship with Christ so that when things turn bad, we TRUST Him to be there. It's natural to spend more time with Christ when tragedy strikes, and that is okay, but don't neglect spending time with Him during the easy times.

The same holds true in our earthly relationships. We need to be intentional to reach out during the "good" times, to build the TRUST and bond, so that in the bad times, we have those people to reach out to. How can we be intentional in reaching out when we are forced by tragedy to do so?

1. Plan a trip to visit when you don't "have to".
2. Make a phone call and just visit to visit.
3. Go to lunch, dinner, or coffee.
4. Send a card or letter. A hand written note is priceless.

I love my friends and family dearly but I will admit that I do not do a good job of this all of the time. I am going to be more intentional. I hope you will be too! Love you all!

Is Valentines Day Just For Those With A Significant Other?

Is Valentines Day Just For Those With A Significant Other??? My answer to that is NO! Since the 14th century, Valentines Day has been associated with LOVE. Before that is was a day to honor St Valentine of Rome who was martyred for performing marriage ceremonies for Christian soldiers imprisoned in Rome. He was buried on February 14, hence the reason why we celebrate Valentines Day on this day.

Okay, now that I got the history part over, I want to share why today is not just for husbands & wives, boyfriends & girlfriends, and the such.

When you are married or dating, you should never NEED a reminder to express your LOVE. You should do it everyday in the little things; like opening a car door, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, making his lunch, taking out the trash (before it's spilling out everywhere!!), a kiss goodnight, a text of encouragement, praying together, etc. You get the point.

So, today I am going to remember to express my LOVE for my amazing husband who I have celebrated 24 Valentines Days with, but I am also going to remember to express LOVE to those around me who may not have a special someone to buy them flowers or take them to dinner.

No day should ever be a day of exclusion. The greatest commandment Jesus left us with was to LOVE. My favorite verse is 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, LOVE each other deeply, because LOVE covers over a multitude of sins."

Who can you include on this Valentines Day? Which of your friends or family don't have a Valentine? Send them a text, call them, buy them chocolates or flowers, take them to dinner... just find a way to include them!
This world would be a much better place if we treated everyday like Valentines Day and loved our GOD with all of our hearts and loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Happy VALENTINES day my friends. I LOVE you all and pray everyone of you feels loved on this day and everyday because our God LOVES you and that is what is most important.