Friends are Friends Forever if the Lord is Lord of Them

    When looking at my blog, I realize I may have gotten off track, and started making it more about me and less about fatherless children and single moms.  I also realize that it may have sounded like I was trying to blame other people from my past for my failures, and I promise that is the last thing on earth I wanted to do.  Nothing led me down my path of being separated from God, but my own insecurities and rebellious nature, so I only have myself to blame.  And, like I said, I wouldn't change one bit of it, because all of it led me to where I am now.  I remember one time reading somewhere that our lives are like a huge tapestry.  If you look at the tapestry from the back, it looks like a huge tangled mess.  That mess represents our failures, our hurts, and when we have hurt others.  But, then you turn the tapestry over, and it becomes a beautiful picture.  This is our life when we allow God into the picture.  He doesn't say that we won't suffer, or that nothing bad will ever happen to us.  In fact, He says in this world you will have suffering.  But He also promises to use all of it, the good and the bad,  to create something beautiful for our good and His glory.    I cherish all of the moments and friendships that have made up my life.  Other than God and family, friendship is the most important thing to me.  I count everyone I have ever encountered in my life as my friend.  I don't have ill will toward anyone, and that is such an amazing feeling.  If you have been a part of my life, in any shape or form, I am thankful for you.   Like the Michael W. Smith song says, "Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them!"  Thank you for being my dear friend.

"Friends"

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Michael W. Smith