The Joy Challenge: Thursday 20th March 2014

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3) I'm not very good at this: either remembering or thanking, but this morning I was reminded of the sheer joy of having friends, of the people who know you and love you and celebrate you. Those who cheer you on, encourage you, believe in you, stand by you, and challenge you when you've got it wrong. The people who tell you straight when you need to be told straight. Thank the Lord for friends, for family, for bringers of joy, and sharers of pain, for laughing so hard your belly hurts, for hugging so hard you can't breathe, for the niggle inside your stomach when you know someone else has got you nailed and that they're right, that you need to listen to them. Thank the Lord for phone calls, for letters, for emails, for spur of the moment texts, for being thought of and prayed for. For being remembered. Who are we that He should be mindful of us? (Psalm 8:4) That anyone should be mindful of us? Yet he is, they are. We are those who are remembered and appreciated, just as we remember and appreciate. That is beautiful.