May #jammed: Growing Grace.

Day 123: It sparkles.

“Do not befriend someone given to anger
    or hang around with a hothead.” Proverbs 22:24

“Mom! Mom!” my little girl squealed, “Come look! Come look!”

On the side of our house, a bunch of “lost stuff” had been transformed into a tiny fairy residence. My youngest daughter is fascinated with fairies. Little fairy dwellings spring up frequently in our house, on our porch, and throughout our yard. Her goal is to attract little fairy friends.

Today’s verse makes me uncomfortable, because I liked to believe that I can be friends with everyone. It’s God’s job to judge and my job to love, so this verse is a struggle for me. “Do not befriend,” seems so harsh.

“Do you think the fairies will come, Momma?” my girl often asks.

“Well, if I were a fairy,” I always conquer,“I would love to visit this house.”

My daughter puts effort into the details of her fairy house …tiny chairs and a table set for tea …sparkly rocks and pretty flowers. She loves them though she never gets to play with them.

We do not have to befriend people to love them.

befriend- to make friends or become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid- dictionary.com

So, what qualifies someone as a “hothead?”

“… fools are hotheaded and careless.
Quick-tempered people make fools of themselves,
    and evil schemers make many enemies.” Proverbs 14:16-17

“A hot-headed person stirs up trouble,
    but one with patience settles a fight.” Proverbs 15:18

“A hot-head provokes quarrels,
    and one mastered by anger commits all kinds of sins.” Proverbs 29:22

Even with guidance from God’s Word, I still feel unqualified to make the final cut on friendship. Maybe it’s because I see so many of these qualities listed above in the mistakes I have made in my own life. Is there really such a person who can handle themselves the right way in every kind of conflict? Just one …

Jesus.

He is our answer. When we remain in His Word and with Him in prayer, the Holy Spirit will  point out the “hot heads” we should avoid. I’m still not sure someone can be written off all together. But I do believe that it’s wise to follow the Spirit’s leading. Even though we live in a society where everyone feels entitled to an explanation, it’s OK to stay mute until we’re certain our words are wise.

The most important element of friendship is love, and sometimes love is quiet. What kind of friendships are we attracting? My little girl waits for magical ones. Are we patient enough to wait for God to work a little magic in our friendships?

Father, Praise You for the lesson in friendship in this verse. Thank You for blessing us with many friends in this life. We confess being a bad judge of character, and pray that You guide us in how to love our friends. 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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