The Beatitudes teach us about friendship

I love the Beatitudes.

They illustrate beautiful qualities of character — the kind of person you want to be around.

They exemplify the perfect friend.

      • Humility — there is no quality more amazing to me than humility. It is beautiful, graceful & gracious.
      • Comforting — we’ve all had times when we’ve been down and turned to a friend for comfort. It’s a wonderful feeling. And to be able to give comfort when someone else is down gives a sense of satisfaction.
      • Selfless & generous — someone who can share and isn’t greedy.
      • Appreciates good activities (and good clean fun!)
      • Satisfaction in right-doing — does the right thing, even if it’s not popular (even if you don’t want to).
      • Forgiving — doesn’t focus on the past or hold a grudge.
      • Genuine — honest, authentic (not fake).
      • Peace-loving (instead of drama-loving) — looks for the best in you and others (doesn’t get in to gossip).
      • Loyal, faithful & devoted — to his/her beliefs as well as to your friendship.
      • Confident & courageous — stands up for what is right; sticks up for beliefs as well as friends.

See what I mean? It’s a perfect model for friendship (or business partner or neighbor). Christ Jesus exemplified this and showed us we can, too — that it is right and normal. He wouldn’t have said it if we couldn’t be it!

Enjoy giving & expressing these qualities today. You’ll be thanked for it!

A day to remember Love

On this Day of Remembrance, there is an air of sadness as we recall the events that took place.

Why this sadness? Because the foundations we held to were shaken. It is the continued suggestions of the serpent of evil that it can overpower good; that it can crush love.

Can it? Really?

I say no. Good is a synonym for God. Goodness, hope, integrity, forgiveness, compassion and love can not be trampled on or destroyed. The inherent nature of each one of us can never be touched. The carnal mind may try to destroy all that we love. But we have “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20 NKJV) When we place our whole affection on God, good, divine Love nothing that we love can ever be destroyed.

This may sound hard. However, with each blessing we receive, we can recognize its source as Life, Love, Spirit – our Heavenly Father-Mother – giving us all we need each moment. We can fill our hearts up full of love and gratitude for this beautiful, invincible force which is always caring for us, perpetuating Her love for us in ways that are visible and real to us.

Love isn’t distant or far-off. Love is tender and kind; Love doesn’t withhold; Love is patient and true; Love doesn’t punish or condemn. I Corinthians 13 describes the essence of Love perfectly. I often think this letter is telling me how to love better, and indeed it is. However, it also describes divine Love – the nature and essence of the perfect Love that is considering our needs, that is enforcing Herself in our lives, that is embracing and holding us each moment. Feel the heart of this Love. In this heart of Love there is no anger or hatred; all of this melts away. We feel the redemptive power of this Love forgiving us and enabling us to forgive others. All sins are wiped away; all material records expunged. We are washed clean. With God all things are possible.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” – I Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)