A Good Friend

Christian non-fiction, devotional, prayer

A Good Friend

Published by

Heidi Viars

July 4, 2013

I couldn’t wait to put them in a vase. I had picked a few sprigs and blossoms in the field and mixed in ordinary weeds which had grown on the side of the path. A single coneflower, spiderworth, orange milkweed, and tickseed made a beautiful arrangement. I took a vase and filled it.

Just a few weeks prior, my dear friend gave this simple vase to me. We were cleaning her house for the last time before she moved. It was a busy, but sad morning. “Would you like this vase? If not, I will toss it.” The vase had missed making it into a box.

Now it is sitting on my table. I am remembering my sweet friend and what it means to be one. I think a good friend is much like a vase.

A good friend
is a vessel that helps us display the gifts God has given us and brings out the best in us

A good friend
nourishes our gifts and encourages us to blossom while she holds us up

A good friend
is transparent and open

A good friend
reminds us that God uses the beautiful things in our lives as well as the ordinary

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14
~

41 responses to “A Good Friend”

thenakedtruth2

July 9, 2013

Good stuff, but a little different look here.

The Lord said, ‘I give not as the world gives.’ Sometimes we get leftovers, or what no body else wants. True giving is in proportionate to the value of the person who lets it go.

You were the recipient of an unwanted gift, ‘I will throw it away if you do not want it,’ so in a sense, it was not really a gift, even though it was special to you.

Contrast: the vase if it was near and dear to the owner, a rare jewel which was special. Now this person gives it to you, for no other reason than what she sees as wanting to bestow goodness to you, for no reason at all. Ah yes, the grace of God, this is how God gives, without a cause.

So yes, your vase is special, but as it is, there is a more excellent way.
God bless
(and yes, I too am happy with leftovers)

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 9, 2013
  
  i so agree with you. You comment brought Romans 6:23 to mind
  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~~~ The best gift ever 🙂
  God bless!
  
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melodylowes

July 9, 2013

Your heart will be sore, missing your friend. How wonderful that in this vase you will have a beautiful excuse to keep fresh friend-flowers blooming on your table!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 9, 2013
  
  Thanks, Melody …. friend-flowers … I like that! Yes, missing people is painful, but that pain is a sign of much love … and that somehow is a blessing, right? …
  
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  1. melodylowes
    
    July 9, 2013
    
    If we choose to see it that way, YES! It is all in the way we see things. It is a good thing to be missed, and to miss, if you put it into the context of real relationships.
    
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LubbyGirl

July 8, 2013

My husband says weeds are just misplaced flowers. He’s partly right…except when it’s poison oak or poison ivy. 😆 Thank you for that really great analogy of friendship and vases, all tied together with Scripture. I’d never really thought of it that way.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 9, 2013
  
  I agree with your on the poison ivy 🙂 Blessings to you as you enjoy the things the Lord plants on your path! Thanks for your visit!
  
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anncole68

July 8, 2013

this is a great poem! Your words are inspiring and I have a vase that probably won’t make it in an upcoming move. Perhaps I’ll pass it on to a friend…

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 9, 2013
  
  What great idea to pass that vase on. Be blessed on your move and new path … and wherever the Lord leads you 🙂
  
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scriptordeus

July 8, 2013

Beautiful tribute to friendship, Heidi. It reminds me that I need to tell my friends how precious they are to me. Blessings, my blogging friend!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 9, 2013
  
  I think we don’t do that often enough! Thank you for blessing me with your visit and kind words. Be blessed, friend 🙂
  
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findingmyinnercourage

July 8, 2013

Thank you Lord for my blogging friendships, beautiful!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 8, 2013
  
  Thanks, Dawn, for stopping by. Yes, thank you, Lord 🙂
  
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omtatjuan

July 8, 2013

Well said! Your words are full of joy and caring.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 8, 2013
  
  Thank you, omtatjuan! That’s because God fills my heart with joy and He cared so deeply for me, when He sent Jesus to die for me 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping in and taking time to comment.
  
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godspoetbychoice

July 8, 2013

What a wonder poem and such a beautiful way to describe a friendship. I too find living on my farms wildflowers and some weeds to be quite beautiful and I am glad you included a picture of the vase so your readers could enjoy them with you take care I think your blog is such a treasure and so inspiring when I am having a down moment. thank you for using your gift to glorify the Lord and lift others up!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 8, 2013
  
  Thank you, Jennifer … He gives us these amazing gifts … the greatest, I think, is the gift of the His presence in the form of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing to know Him to be ever so close, no matter where we are.
  
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dianarasmussen

July 8, 2013

Reblogged this on Prayers and Promises and commented:
There is nothing like good friends…Heidi captures it perfectly!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 8, 2013
  
  Thanks, dear heart, for the re-blog & thanks for being a good friend to so many through your blog. Blessings!
  
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  1. dianarasmussen
    
    July 8, 2013
    
    You are welcome Heidi. This one really blessed me, I had to share! 😉
    
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inthepottershands988

July 6, 2013

What a wonderful illustration!! Loved this! Thank you!! 🙂

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 7, 2013
  
  What a wonderful God and marvelous Creator we serve. He called us, who trust in His Son, friends … how can this be??? Thanks for the visit and kind word of encouragement! Blessings to you!
  
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bennetta faire

July 5, 2013

Oh Heidi, I got all misty about this–what a beautiful, beautiful metaphor, and I’m so blessed to have a sweet friend who does all that for me. I hope I do as good a job. God bless you BIG. PS, would it be okay for me to print it–just for my personal file, not for reuse anywhere?

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Thank you Bennetta, for stopping in and for encouraging me with those kind words. Please feel free to use this for your files 🙂 Blessings to you!
  
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  1. bennetta faire
    
    July 6, 2013
    
    Thank you, dear heart!
    
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Rene Yoshi

July 5, 2013

So sweet! 🙂

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  thanks, Rene 🙂
  
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Patty Perkins

July 5, 2013

What a beautiful picture of friendship! Love the way all the elements came together…poem, photo, scripture, and the real life heart behind it all:)

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 7, 2013
  
  Hey Patty (just noticed I never posted my reply) …. Thank you so much for your kind words!!! God is amazing to give this gift of friendship to us. I am grateful for people like you who are so generous with their encouragement! Blessings to you, as you continue to share Jesus with us through your posts!!!!
  
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carolynrice

July 5, 2013

This is beautiful. It touched my heart. God Bless you.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Thanks, Carolyn…. we serve an amazingly creative God … who chose to make us His friends … when we were His enemies … that’s a beautiful thing 🙂
  
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pattisj

July 5, 2013

A sweet tribute to friendship. Love your bouquet, fresh and unpretentious.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Funny, how weeds and beautiful flowers go together … much like the things in our lives 🙂 …. Love the word “unpretentious” …. thanks!!! Blessings
  
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barb

July 5, 2013

What an extraordinary analogy…well written…although i don’t know you that well i consider you a friend and what a blessing you are.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Barb, thanks so much for reading and leaving this kind encouragement! I am grateful to the Lord for allowing us to have crossed paths! Blessings to you … dear friend 🙂
  
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Ben Nelson

July 5, 2013

I love this – i love the way you have woven the gift, the melancholic note of missing your friend, the poetry and the Scripture – this is a beautiful and touching post.

in particular:
“A good friend is a vessel that helps us display the gifts God has given us and brings out the best in us”

Well said Heidi

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Thanks, Ben … Jesus modeled what it is like to be a friend … what an example and encouragement He proves to be!!!
  John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
  Blessings, friend 🙂
  
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Debbie

July 5, 2013

I just loved this! Thank you , Heidi , for using your sweet gifts! God bless you!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  Thank you Debbie for your visit! He has given us so many precious gifts … God bless you, my friend!
  
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cottageonstrawberry

July 4, 2013

Another precious post Heidi. Tear worthy xx

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  July 5, 2013
  
  What a precious gift the Lord left us when He gave us friendships 🙂 Blessings, dear friend!
  
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