So I was struck tonight by a wonderful fact...I have amazing friends.

For those who don't know my past, finding and keeping good friends has always been an issue. It's the one thorn in my side that God has allowed to stay with me through my whole life. He has grown me throughout my years to be independent in the friendship sphere and to be totally and completely dependent on Him for my source of encouragement. He also used that part of my life to grow my love for my family, and that makes that trial so worth it.

But tonight, I again saw His grace in my life in the area of friendships. Not just friendships that are superficial, but friendships that are encouraging and uplifting, and are flavored with humor and mutual respect for one another.

Just more proof that God is a faithful, good God.

In other totally unrelated news, a friend of mine asked me a week or so ago what my favorite Shakespeare sonnet was...at the time I didn't know which one to tell him, but now I do.
Go read Sonnet 116...it's awesome.
Or better yet, read it here.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds...O no! it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken..."

That is beautiful. It kind of reminds me of 1Corinthians 13...love hopes all things, endures all things, always protects and trusts, always perseveres...love never fails.

I don't think this applies only to romantic love, but it could also apply to families or friends. Your love for your family shouldn't change when you encounter hardships, or your love for your friends shouldn't change when you encounter conflict. It should look at those tempests and not be shaken...if we love with the same agape love that Christ loves us with.

Until next time.