Friends by Blood

Mary and Elizabeth were not sisters by blood, they were cousins, but they had something amazing in common! Elizabeth and her husband, who were too old to be pregnant, had conceived. Mary did not have sex with any man, yet she was pregnant as well. Imagine the gossip happening among their family! One would carry John the baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, and the other carried Jesus, the Messiah Himself (Luke 1:46-55). These two women had a relationship unlike any other seen in the entire bible.

Some people we meet are potential friends and we get to know them and decide that they are not. Other people that we do not suspect at times, can end up being the closest friends imaginable. It is these people who become kindred to us. Some may even refer to their friends as family. In Mary and Elizabeth's case - family became friends. They saw potential in each other and encouraged each other in what God had called them to do. Not everyone may experience this blessing but perhaps we can spur each other on to good works (Hebrews 10:24). Here are a few ideas based on Mary and Elizabeth's relationship.

1.Listen to each other. Most friends stay close by hearing each other out. Mary and Elizabeth shard their hearts freely while the other listened attentively. It is a blessing to share and to be receptive to hearing what others have to share.

2.Be hospitable. Close friends make the time and space for one another. Mary was welcomed at Elizabeth's home. How can you be more available for your friends?

3.Don't reject what is different about your friends. These two women had a large gap in age, but it did not keep them from fellowship.

4.Support one another. It is always good to have someone in your corner cheering you on. Even when Mary's husband was unsure about God's plan, Elizabeth was there to affirm Mary in what God had shown her.

5.Point them to Christ. The goal of friendship is the glory of God.

May your friendships and kinships be rooted in Christ. That is the best medium for growth and producing the glory of God in both your lives!

Prayer: Lord, let my friendships glorify You. Teach me to celebrate others in my life, encourage them and be an asset to their life in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Action: Call, phone or text a friend. Challenge each other to bring out the best in one another for the glory of God!

Watch the scope.



Comments

  1. candySeptember 5, 2016 at 5:48 AM

    Wonder suggestions and tips. Now to put it in action

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walking TogetherSeptember 6, 2016 at 1:02 PM

      Thanks for reading Candace! Let us know how it goes!

      Delete
  2. UnknownSeptember 8, 2016 at 8:39 AM

    Yes i do agree with you when you say friends support one another. I do feel that we as women need to uplift each other instead of trying to pull each other down.
    xoxo, Shavonne www.lifeis4theliving.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walking TogetherSeptember 9, 2016 at 2:01 AM

      You never get far by degrading others. Who you surround yourself with is paramount!

      Delete
  3. UnknownSeptember 13, 2016 at 3:09 PM

    Love this post! Don't engage rage! Lift and Love to the Father Above :-)

    ReplyDelete

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