Lasting relationships

I really don't even know where to begin this morning as I've witnessed first hand how much God loves me. I'm not being haughty, Friends, for He loves you just as much. He loves you and I with all that He has and is. When we align our will with His, He loves to bless us with the desires of our heart. I pray that we will find ourselves not being whiny like the Israelites as they went through the wilderness but that we will be like Daniel & David. Faithful in our hearts & actions as well as having praises flowing from our lips.

I'm not really sure when I started growing a love for photography but simply, I have. The picture that you see here I snapped on Thursday afternoon while on vacation out in Colorado. I have titled it "Fragrance and Beauty of God". God keeps pressing in to me how important it is to be emitting His fragrance, a sweet aroma. **2 Corinthians 2:14** That when we do, those that receive will recognize a beauty that can only come from Him. If I allow Him to clean the inside of my cup then the outside of my cup will be radiant as well.

In the past 7 days I have seen several of my own prayer requests answered. From finding favor for a parking spot to a Forever Friend. From the pages of my journal on July 8th: "I am so excited for today. I want this relationship to be all about You. I do believe You orchestrated this very day. I pray that this friendship will last a lifetime."

We all have had relationships that come and go. Perhaps because of where we are at in our lives and true distance has happened due to a move. Or that we recognize integrity is not important to the other person. Perhaps much jeopardizing or even manipulation has taken hold of the relationship, or perhaps it simply has grown cold. All of this takes work and if both aren't willing to invest then we have another perfect example of why the relationship won't last. I'm hungry for a lasting relationship. One that endures the test of time!

I believe that this week God has brought that type of a friend into my life. Actually He crossed our paths many months ago and over time we have learned much about what is important to the other. We have invested in one another. I pray that if you haven't found a friend that is like that, ask God to bring a lasting friend into your own life. I would also encourage you to pray as well that YOU would have the tenacity to be a lasting friend to another as well. This past Wednesday my husband and I were extremely blessed to meet Beth, Jimbo and one of their daughters, Melissa. They were traveling from the northwestern part of Colorado (after visiting their youngest daughter and family) back home to Louisiana. Several weeks ago we both mentioned that we would be in Colorado during July and found out that their travel would take them with-in 15 to 20 miles of where we were staying. Is God awesome, or what?

Bill, Yolanda, Beth, Melissa & Jimbo.

Did you know that we have a Forever Friend? One that truly does last the test of time? His name is Jesus. John 15:14-16 NIV "You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."


I want to share one more thing with you about Beth. In January we both began the Scripture Memorization that was being encouraged on the LPM Blog. Then in March Beth Moore announced that she would be having a get together in January for those that have participated. Right away I knew I wanted to go as God has used Beth Moore mightily in my life, always pointing me to Jesus Christ for my healing. With-in just a few days of that invitation Beth Herring and I made a commitment to one another to room and be a team to recite our scriptures at this gathering. SO GOD! Investing, being real, encouraging, emitting the fragrance of Christ.


Lord, thank You for blessing me with a Forever Friend. One that loves You, is faithful in prayer, and truly invests. Thank You Lord for the gift of LIFE that You have given to Beth and myself. For the Living Water that You have poured into her and she so lovingly pours back out. Thank You Lord for splashing us with Your Love. Amen.