Giving and Loving Extravagantly
Do you love extravagantly? With passion? With every fiber of your being?
Or, do you protect your heart? Maybe vulnerable is uncomfortable?
I read a quote a while back about being a good friend. It posed the perfect question. Are you a lifelong friend or an acquaintance? It reminded me that friends stick closer than a brother and acquaintances come for an occasional tour when life is good.
This reminds me of my 2:00 am friends. That is what I call them in the head. They are the friends I could call at two o’clock in the morning. Not that I ever have. Not that I will ever need to. But I know without question I could.
How are you celebrating friendship? Do you show them gratitude? Do they know how much you cherish them?
My friend Kim I have known for 17 years.
She is a friend I do not deserve.
She never knows the impact she constantly leaves on my life.
She reminds me to bend. All the time.
She gives to me extravagantly. Never asking for anything in return. Not once.
Every week we get our children together (they homeschool too) and over the years our kiddos have developed a strong friendship. We’ve watched them all grow-up together. This is priceless.
I found this for her at Hallmark yesterday. It fits her perfectly.
My friend Amanda, I swear I knew in another lifetime.
Ok, I really do no believe I lived before, but you know what I mean.
Our stories are carbon copies. Very similar childhoods and similar struggles.
You know what I say… we all have a story and it is that story that makes us who we are.
Our kids sit a pew away from each other in church. At least once we have to tell them all to stop talking on Sunday’s.
Our kids have developed this amazing friendship- again, priceless.
Amanda told me recently, “You know sometimes you tell me the same story more than once?”.
This was confirmation I AM losing my mind.
She teaches me to give and love extravagantly. Her faith inspires me constantly!
How are you reminded that life is a special occasion?
I want you to remember that friendship is to be celebrated.
Give with your heart. Give with passion. Give extravagantly.
It has no price tag…
How are you giving and loving extravagantly?
Better yet, how are you leading the way for your children to give and love extravagantly in their friendships? With passion and from our heart?
We are here as their example.
(Each gift in this post is a Hallmark product. I am in love with this store. The next time you’re on the hunt for a gift for a friend- check out Hallmark! Feel free to read my disclosure. For more information about Hallmark and their products, visit www.hallmark.com. You can also follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HALLMARK and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hallmark. I am!)
My soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s shower was this past weekend. My son showed up for half of it. They were asked what drew them to each other. Steven said the Emily was a faithful friend. He has watched her loyalty and love for her friends and that drew her to him. She never holds grudges and forgives easily {wonderful qualities for a marriage!}. Therefore, she will most likely be faithful to Steven her whole life! Beautiful post, Crystal and I LOVE the pictures of the gifts. Gifts that mean something.