April #jammed: Grace Studies.

Day 115: A strike every time.

“I call you friends.” John 15:15

The year we surprised my youngest daughter for her birthday will be a day she will never forget. She’s watched her older sister bond with her friends since pre-school and Kindergarten, and though little Lo is loved by so many, it somehow never seemed like we got her together with them as much. All is unfair in trying to parent fairly, right?

To make it up to her, we gathered as many of her buddies as we thought one bowling alley could handle, and surprised her with a party. Biggest smiles we’ve ever seen on her face, and most appreciative she’s ever been. She is truly blessed with the sweetest, funniest group of friends. Her joy in the moment seemed to say , “Yay! They love me, too!”

Today’s verse is a sweet sentiment Jesus speaks to His disciples. His closest followers, who hung on his robe and every word.

“ I don’t call you servants any longer; servants don’t know what the master is doing, but I have told you everything the Father has said to Me. I call you friends.” John 15:15(VOICE)

After they had faithfully followed Him through many miracles and difficult conversations, Jesus knew the hardest days for them were yet to come, as He would prepare to say good-bye to them and make His way to the cross. I wonder if they felt a sense of “Yay! He loves me, too!”

“ 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.” John 15:15 (NIV)

To be called a friend is a compliment the human heart seeks from birth. We were not meant to walk alone, and undeniably love to find those people who we feel at home with in our own skin. In our search for friendship on earth, we must never forget that He always calls us, ‘friend.”

Father, Praise You for friendship! There is so much to be learned from it, and we thank You for placing people around us that get us! Forgive us for focusing on other friendships more than the one with You. Bless our hands to hold onto Jesus’ as we walk though this life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Friending,

Megs

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