Encouraging Words From Friends

I use to hang out with people who I thought were my friends. I would go places with them, eat and party with them. It took me a long time for me to realize they weren't there in the tough times, but only when they could get something from me.
Today I've been taken notice at the friends I have now. They are true friends. I know because they have walked with me through tough times, good times, and exciting times. These friends of mine have become my brothers and sisters; family. They speak to me with words of kindness, gentleness, love me where I'm at, don't expect more from me than my best and love me inspite of my faults.
If I need anything they are there for me. They tell me "call me if you need anything" and I know they honestly mean it.
My heart is full like a cup of coffee that is filled to the rim. I'm so filled with joy right now that I can't seem to put it into words. If you are a friend of mine and have spoken words of encouragement to me, "thank you, for you have blessed me."
Today, a friend shared how she can tell when reading my blog how I'm feeling and how the course of my writing changes with the emotions from the words. I like that, to me that is a compliment.  
You see, before I begin to write, I ask the Lord for His guidance and ask to allow my words to be His words. I want the desires of my heart to be the desires of His. I know now that people who read my writings experience God. Now, whether it is a good experience or bad, I don't know. What I do know to be true is that if you are rubbed the wrong way through what you hear or read, it is probably the Lord trying to get your attention and the Holy Spirit is convicting you to change.  This is a good thing.
I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I ask you to take what you want and leave the rest from what I write. Tonight, I go in peace knowing that I have some REALLY special friends in my life. I call them my balcony people. They are on a journey to change their lives over to the care and control of God our Saviour. Some have had spiritual heart surgery and will always be a work in progress.
We are all diamonds in the rough and God sees us worth more than rubies and pearls. He sees us worth the life of his son, Jesus Christ, who died for us. Jesus Christ calls us his friend too.

Thank you for being my friend,
Marjorie

(Thank you Ms. Terri)