Posted By FarmerJ on July 10, 2009

The Lord provides us with many blessings ~ and some of the nicest come as friends.  Thank you, Lord, for bestowing such wonderful friends upon us.

Forgive me if I seem somewhat sporadic in my thoughts here, but there are a few things I feel strongly compelled to share with you.  Since the fire catastrophe two weeks ago, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to reflect on a few experiences.

The first thing I’d like to share is a reminder to allow others the blessing of an opportunity to give of themselves.  You see, we’re not ones who generally feel comfortable in asking for help.  We are usually among the first ones to offer our assistance to someone else in need, but when it comes to ourselves, Darling Husbie and I tend to try to make it through ourselves…together.

Saturday morning following the fire, Husbie and I were outside ~ Husbie, standing before the pile of ash and rubble trying to come to terms with it all; me, exerting nervous energy by breaking hay bales and laying mulch in the large garden plot.  (I’d had my time standing in the ash Friday while Husbie was at work.)  To our surprise, a pickup towing an enclosed trailer pulled into the driveway and parks near the house.  Out jumps two very dear friends, bright and cheerful, like a breath of fresh air.  Dearest ‘D’ exclaims, “H’s Lawn Service here to serve!”

Knowing that around here, a lawn needs mowed every four to five days; knowing that Wilma (my riding lawn mower) was parked in the shop; and, knowing that we would graciously decline if asked, these dear friends took it upon themselves to load up mowers, trimmers, wheel barrels, etc. and arrived unannounced eager to help us by doing a ton of yard work.  They even canceled their camping and fishing trip in order to spend a full day laboring away.  True friends, yes?

Initially, I felt so horribly guilty that they had given up their entire day to help us.  But, then, I remembered how blessed I feel when I am able to help someone when they are down, and I realized it was not any different for our friends.  My lesson?  Who am I to deny someone the opportunity of a blessing when they offer assistance through His love?

Secondly, I’d like to share a reminder that if there is someone you’ve been thinking about calling or writing but haven’t gotten around to doing it yet, please, just do it!

I can tell you firsthand ~ your action will truly warm the heart of the recipient.  Dearest ‘M’ had called one afternoon last week.  As soon as she called, she had received another phone call she had to take.  Although I would have loved to have talked to her at that moment, just the fact that I knew she was thinking of me and took the time out of her busy schedule to call filled me with great joy and kept a smile on my face throughout the day.  Plus, when she called me again a few days later and I actually did get to talk to her, it was an extra serving of joy!

Today, I experienced the same gift when I went to the mailbox and found an unexpected letter from one of my cousins.  It was such a sweet surprise ~ one that left my heart smiling for hours.  My lesson?  I need to stop procrastinating and sit down to make those calls and write those letters.  Why should I deny others the same heartwarming feeling I’ve experienced?

Lastly, I’d like to share with you a reminder that stems from the previous reminder.  Don’t delay in contacting those whom you love.  Our time with those we hold dear is too short!

We were blessed with a visit from some dear friends who live in Arizona.  Their timing, although completely unaware of the catastrophe, could not have been more perfect.  Darling Husbie and ‘G’ have been friends for years and years…and years.  Being able to spend time with him was exactly what Husbie needed.  That bond and ability to vent, confide in and laugh is something the two of them share ~ and I am so thankful for that!

I treasured the time I had to catch up with ‘V’, and Abigail met her heartthrob, Zeus.  A week felt like a couple of days, and before we knew it, we were hugging and waving ‘Hasta luego!”  My lesson?  Often times, you don’t realize how much you miss someone until they’re gone.

Indeed, friendship hits the spot.  Tend to it, mend it, pamper it.  ♥

Categories: Plainly Ponderings
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