The Second Ripple in the Pond: Day 3 of 40: What a friend we have in Jesus and each other!

Dear Family of Love,

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Keeping the Faith Friday Fearlessly without fretting! We are now at ripple in the pond # 3 and that means we will talk tonight about friends and friendships in our family. Tonight I had the opportunity to see "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre. This play was the pre-quel to Peter Pan. I was struck by the fact that when we start out as young people we may not have solid friendships or any. Some of our family members strive to find friends and groups of people to do things with. You might be surprised to learn that I don't have any groups or many friends I go out and do things with, but I do have close friendships that don't seem to fit the mold. Where am I going with this? I think, no I know what I'm trying to tell you is this: just because someone is extroverted or introverted they may or may not have a cadre of friends to hang out with. and appearances may be deceiving.God calls us into friendship with Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and each other. Tonight's round of questions for this ripple are these: What kind of friendships do you have? Are you being a good friend?  What are these friendships like and do they fulfill, nurture, and give you a soft place to fall? Take time to meditate on these questions and go deep into the center. For those of you who need the previous blogs to refer to here they are:
Ripple in the Pond 1 and Pebbles in the Pond ! Our meditation music is this: Windham Hill Tibet


We pray this night for all of our family members who may find themselves lost without friends. May we learn to keep our eyes open to all who are alone and need this special kind of family.

We pray for all of our friends who we call family! May we love them and give them a soft place to fall.

We pray for all our enemies and those who wish us harm.  May we learn to give of ourselves and model healthy and uniting friendships within the bonds of peace.

We pray for friendships among all people and nations.and that bonds of trust and unity may grow and prosper.

We pray for all of our family members who are in need of love, homes, clothing, and food and that they may be protected from harm and severe weather.

We pray that we may be friends with all living things within God's Cathedral of Life.

We pray that we may be friends not only to our family members but ourselves.

We pray that we may teach our children how to make and keep friends.

We pray that we may be  lovingly accepting of all our friends and  our family members who differ from us. 

Let us pray the words to the Hymn tune What a Friend we Have in Jesus by Joseph M. Scriven

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

We pray these prayers in the Name of Jesus who calls us friends. Amen.

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Today's Wish:  That we may remember that we are called to be friends and family.

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Good Night Loved ones! I love you! May you find rest in body, mind, and spirit! Don't forget tomorrow is Self-Care Saturday and that means we  take time to take care of ourselves. I give God Thanks for you this day and always!

With love, friendship, and family ties,

Sara