The Three “F’s”

Hello, my Friends, I so appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers on behalf of my family at the death of my beloved brother-in-law, Randy. This has been one of the hardest things that I’ve had to deal with in many years. Randy has been in the family for over 30 years, and he will forever be missed. During these past few days, many of the things that were “bogging me down,” before this happened, suddenly seem so unimportant. So what, if we have to pay in on our taxes this year? All those reports that I have been “working on” at work – guess what? There will always be more to do. My house still needs vacuuming, and I need to clean the kitchen table off, but those things aren’t really important. I’ve decided that the main things in this life are the three “F’s”: Faith, Family, and Friends.

I don’t know how people make it without faith. The Hebrew writer said, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) For we must “walk by faith, and not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7) Faith is “the victory that overcometh the world.” (I John 5:4) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The only way to find peace in this life is through faith and belief of God’s promises.

Second, comes family. Family is so important. Whether it’s your “family by blood” or your church family, family members step up to do what needs to be done. Love causes family members to put other’s needs first. Families thrive on “telling stories, sharing hugs, and just being there” for each other. May we never take our families for granted.

The third “F” stands for friends. Friends lighten our loads. They offer prayers on our behalf. They “take care of things,” so we can take care of “other things.” Friends share our joys and our sorrows. They encourage us. They listen to us. They tell us the truth, when we want to hear it and when we don’t! “An authentic, true friend sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) Where would we be in this life without our friends?

May we remember to focus on keeping the “main thing – the main thing.” God is in control. May we not take our faith, our family, or our friends for granted. God Bless, Courtney