From the journal  .  .  .  . February  2018

God, thank You for friends.  I love Bethany and Eileen, and they seem to love me.  Amazing!  I know it’s You in me that they love.  You give it all to me, waves and waves of love for and from Your people.  Those two are so easy to love!

And I Believe God Said:

I spared all three of you from death by cancer.  I postponed your welcome to heaven because there’s more I have for you here on earth.   More ways to bring glory to Me.  I see how much you all long for the struggles of this life to be done with.  I see how you long to rest in Me.  Rest in Me now!*  There is still work to do.  There are still trials to go thru, but I am and will always be with you.  I have gifts of love for you every day; gifts for you to keep, gifts for you to share, and gifts for you to give away.*

Matt. 11:28 Rom 12:6-8 Eph 4:11-12

Lord, I feel that You want me to write separate letters to my dear friends.  Letters of what You would say to them personally.

Trust that.  I have given you letters for people before.

Lord, I’m in the familiar place of fearing I might get Your words wrong.

These people, these women in your life that you love, they are gifts I have given you.  I have given you a love for them because I love you, and I love them.*  Your motivation is love.  You want them to receive love from Me. That is My spirit in you, longing for them.

Romans 15:30

Lord, I’m afraid of composing it myself.

You choose to trust Me to work in you.  You have to trust Me.  That’s what you give.  It is like a sacrifice because you have the fear of being deceived.  I know it’s a struggle for you and a risk. Diane, if there is conviction needed – I’ll take care of that.  You are so uncomfortable with hurting someone that you are afraid to risk it.  Trust Me.  If I need to rebuke someone you love, I wouldn’t use your ‘judgement’ to do it.  Speak the truth in love.  You are to comfort and encourage.  If conviction is needed – trust Me to do it.*

John 16:8

God, I like that.  I feel like a wimp, even a ‘fair weather friend’ but I believe You.  You said You are trustworthy, so I will trust Your words.