Vibrations shook my phone drawing attention to a new text message that had just come in. Seeing her name, I quickly clicked on the text she sent to our group. For the better part of a year, this sweet friend has weathered difficulty after difficulty. As I read her lengthy text, I could hear the anguish and despair through her words. Experiencing yet another setback, her spirits dropped in discouragement. She needed help. She needed encouragement. She needed us.

You see, the group of ladies in this text group have a special bond. Brought together through our church, we have encouraged each other as we have each faced incredible difficulties in the past several years. We have seen each other through deaths, job loss, surgeries, sickness, failing parents and more. At the drop of a hat, we prepare a meal, clean, watch children, shop, wrap gifts, send cards, flowers, or money, whatever is needed. We are there for one another. We turn to each other in this group, because we know there is understanding, safety, security, compassion, help, love, but most of all God. We are there for one another, and we sharpen each other.

My whole thought when I pondered this group of friends is how we sharpen one another as seen in Proverbs 27:17.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

We sharpen as we study God’s Word, through our talk, through prayer, but I was reminded by the Lord that it is more than that.

In my preparations for Proverbs 27:17, I accidentally opened my study books to the wrong passage, yet I find it wasn’t an accident. With God’s intention, I stumbled onto Proverbs 17:17.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Reading “A friend loves at all times”, I realized how fitting this verse was to go along with sharpening one another, because that is what true friendship does. True friendship sharpens you no matter what. Sharpening isn’t just through discussions, suggestions, reproof, or correction as you walk through life together. Sharpening is being there. Picking up the pieces with love, encouragement, compassion, acceptance, and grace when the journey for one has become too much. Sharpening is doing everything you are able to make life just a little bit easier when the road for another could not be harder. Sharpening is giving of yourself, when you may not have much to give, but you still have something. Sharpening is doing whatever you can, however you can, because you have no doubt if you were facing struggles of any kind, this group of precious women would do it for you. All they want is for you to see Jesus.

Friends help us see Jesus. They round off our sharp edges and help us to see Him through their words, their actions, and their desire to walk alongside us, no matter what.

Through the flurry of texts that went back and forth that day, I watched my sweet friend be encouraged and strengthened through the many reminders of God’s love and faithfulness, through the understanding, love and support received. After a good cry, spiritual encouragement, a song, and much prayer, she felt ready to face life again. Had the circumstances changed? No, but she was reminded her heavenly Father is holding her closely, and she has a group of friends standing beside her as she continues her journey. The beautiful thing is, next time the text may be from another in the group, but the response will be the same – sharpening from friends offering love, compassion, encouragement, strength and most importantly of all – God.

So, who are you sharpening today? What ways are you finding to help them see Jesus? How are you developing friendships that will sharpen you?

“For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

In His Love,

Susan