Proverbs 18 - Friends

Happy Monday to you ?!?!

Well this morning was overwhelming - we had the first of four Easter Egg hunts with some of J's school friends at the Park. J was all over the place and having so much UNRESTRICTED fun! My nerves were on edge and I had a hard time focusing on conversations and my other two kids. We left after about an hour and on the way home I called the Orthopedic Surgeon to get better guidelines on what he can and cannot participate in. Basically they informed me he is 100% physicial activirty restricted - specifically playgrounds. Then they started telling me how awful playgrounds are for him with the gravel, sand, mulch and not to mention the heat which creates more itching - ugh! I have been praying since then that we have not incurred any additional stress on the healing of his arm. We go Thursday for an xray and the permanent fiberglass cast.

Ok - well enough about my drama over here let's read - I know I can find comfort in the WORD!

Proverbs 18
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.

3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.

4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.

7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.

9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD.

23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

My thoughts and take-aways:
So much good stuff for todays reading. We continue to be told to stay away from fools and what their characteristics look and sound like to us. We are strongly reminded of the importance and significance of our mouths, words and tongues. There is so great information of law suits, wives, and friends. Its the later that is so significant to me right now. You see I always knew that I had great friends and I always knew that they would be there for me. I am blessed to have friends as neighbors, friends as bible study companions, friends at church, truly friends all over the place. I was reminded of the blessing of friends last week, specifically Wednesday. J had broken his arm at 2:50pm, at 3:00pm I took the babies next door where my friends asked no questions and told me to go to the er, at 4pm my friend came to my house and watched my kids for me, at 5pm my friend brought us dinner, at 6pm my friend brought over some goodies for the patient.... you see our friends came out in crowds to help us. They fed us, watched our kids, sat with us during surgery, let us cry, helped us laugh, took over bible study, took over chores at the house, but most importantly they prayed! YOU PRAYED! I made one phone call and in minutes I had over 15 texts from people praying for my little man! As I sit here and write this I am so overcome with emotion. You don't realize how blessed you are until you need to be reminded of it. So thank you all for everything - you are amazing. We have no blood family here in San Antonio but we do have a wonderful family of friends that we adore. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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Love to all!
M