Hi Friend, I’m so glad you stopped by today. It’s an exciting day for me. Today is my baby girl’s 18th birthday. I’m very emotional—but in a good way. I can’t stop thinking about the privilege I have of being my her mother. She has brought such joy to our family. I’m so proud of her! …not because of her achievements; not because of her kind heart or her love for Jesus; I’m proud of her simply because she’s mine.
Happy Birthday, Peyton!! Your mom loves you!
The second reason I’m excited is YOU! Welcome to my NEW site! Throughout my updating process, I had you in mind. So spend some time looking around. You can down load the freebies, (which will be updated often) or read my story, check a short video of me speaking… it’s all yours!
Finally, I’m excited about today’s devotion. Friendship is important to us girls. But relationships can also be hard to manage.
One thing that amazes me about this story is that while Saul’s hatred for David was growing every day, others were growing in love for David. We’re told that the Israelites loved him, that the King’s son Jonathan loved him, and that the King’s daughter loved him. In the midst of David’s darkest hour, Saul burned with hatred toward David while everyone else was growing more and more fond of him.
What caught my interest is the same thing happens to you and me. The closer you and I get to becoming the woman God wants us to be the more enemies we’ll create. Likewise, the closer we get to becoming the woman God wants us to be the more attractive we become to others. This is exactly why Saul became such an enemy of David: because David was gaining popularity with everyone around him and stealing the attention away from Saul.
There was a reason why Jonathan and his sister both were drawn to David. It’s because David was a young man of exemplary character. His integrity and honor shone through so that those with whom he came in contact wanted to spend time with him.
Have you ever been around a person like that? These are the kind of people that we want to be friends with and who make friends much more easily because they’re attractive on the inside.
When you and I grow in the image of Jesus Christ, when our lives begin to reflect the fruits of the Holy Spirit, when we, because of what’s on the inside become different on the outside, we will begin to draw people to ourselves. There will be something attractive about us that has nothing to do with our external appearance.
The opposite it also true. There are a lot of people today who have no friends because they’re just plain ugly on the inside and it shows through to the outside. If we want a friend then the contemporary proverb is true: to have a friend you’ve got to be a friend. We’ve got to be the kind of people with whom others want to be friends with.
If you’re hungering for a close friend or for deeper intimacy in a relationship that you already have then take another long look at the relationship between David and Jonathan and commit to developing the characteristics of a true friend. You can also…
1. Pray for a Jonathan. We have a tendency to underemphasize the power of prayer. God wants us to have godly friendships. He didn’t create us to be Lone Christians. God wants to provide intimacy for you in the form of a friend, and the best place to start looking is by asking God.
2. When you find your “Jonathan,” commit to the friendship for life. Intimate friendships take time. They don’t happen overnight. It’s something that takes commitment and longevity. We’re told that David and Jonathan made a covenant; a contract. That’s a good idea! Too many friendships fall apart over the small stuff. But the bible says, “A true friend loves at all times.” Make a covenant with your friend to stick it out through thick or thin.
3. Be a good friend. That sounds simple, but think about it. Growing up I bet your mom and dad wanted you to choose “good” friends. Their desire went far beyond good behavior. Your parents wanted your friends to be good for you. They wanted someone who would challenge you to be your very best; someone who would hold you accountable; someone who would take your side. We should desire no less for ourselves as we choose our friendships as adults.
What about you? Are your friends better off by knowing you? Be a good friend and choose good friends, and you can have the kind of friendship that David and Jonathan shared.
Sharon Sloan says
Micca: Beautiful new site! Congratulations!
Happy Birthday Payton! Wow – 18!!
LOVE today’s devo and post! Love Jon and David’s example!! I want to be a Jon! His biblical example spurs us on to holiness in friendship!
Hugs,
Sharon
Marcella says
I thank God for one more person like you!
“Encouragement for Today” is one of the
best foods I take every day! It’s a blessing
to me!
Happy blessed birthday to your daughter!
God bless you more!
marcella
Doris says
I love your new site!
Our women’s group at church has been doing a study on Friendship. I have not had a really close friendship for a long time other than my sisters. It’s something I have been praying about. Thanks for your words today!
Darcie says
Love the new site Micca! Happy 18th Birthday to Payton!
I also love this devotional. I want to BE a Jon.
Why do we sometimes forget about the easiest and most powerful tool we have as Christians…. prayer!
Thank you for bringing it to us. I hope your day is blessed!
AnnMarie says
Hey Micca,
Congrats to a new site. Happy Birthday to Peyton.
This has been my wish for the longest time to have a friend and friendship like David and Johnathan. I want to be a Johnathan and God will provide me with a Johnathan. Love your devotional. Spoke to my very core because I am sceptical about relationships. As a matter of fact, I find that people are not genuine and they think they should talk what they are told. Please pray for me Micca that I will develop the God-like attributes and be a true friend.
Mary says
Always enjoy the devotions , I must be weird but since my high school I really don’t care about having a best friend. Is there something wrong with me(don’t answer that) ha . there are times when I could do my own thing forever and not talk to anyone ,except my family. Just don’t want to share my inmost thoughts,if I did I would see a counselor.
Shannon B. says
I am blessed to work in a crisis pregnancy center, which means I start the day with devotion and prayer time with my co-workers. I was going to share your P31 devo this morning, but couldn’t even read it silently without getting a little weepy so I copied it out and shared it with everyone that way.
You spoke my heart today. I am still trying to heal over the loss of several friendships about a year ago. Although I know it is exactly what needed to happen, and it was instigated and orchastrated by God, it doesn’t make the loss any easier. You were right in your devotion. I grieve over what could have been and the loss of what I thought I had.
I allowed the situation to bring me very close to bitterness… and some days I still fight against it. But like you wrote, our female friendships are so very important and I am allowing God to tend and grow the ones that He has planned for me. I still look back with sadness over what had to be, but not nearly as often. God is good all the time, even in the refining and stripping away. My favorite verse is Luke 1:45 and I am now taking the time to not only look around to see how blessed I am, but to dig down deep in Scripture and find all the promises God has for me, and that includes my Jonathan.
Thank you so much for the blessing of your writing today. I can’t wait to look around the new site. My initial impression is “BEAUTIFUL!” I will be playing around here during my free moments today.
Joosje says
Hello Micca,
Congratulations to your beautiful site. And happy birthday to your baby-girl.
Thank you for your devotional. I am very blessed and encouraged.
God bless you Micca.
Laurie says
I love your new site! It is beautiful and I loved watching your video messages. Have a great day!
Shuquin says
Hi Micca, my sister in Christ. I can say that in the past 4 -5 yrs God has put some wonderful woman in my life who’s either trying to live Christlike or learning about God & His Son Jesus Christ & I’m glad to be able to share what I know to woman that’s willing & wanting to know Him. I always say God put people in my life sometimes for a season & for a reason & every relationship I gain its an experience & I’m grateful. So Micca I want to say thank you my sister in Christ for having this site & I always look for was to grow closer to Him. God bless you & your family.
Cindy L. says
Good morning and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Peyton. Thank you for the message in “Recipe for Relationships” that arrived in my “inbox” just when I needed it yesterday! I am really struggling in my relationship with my sister and it affects my relationship with my Mom as well. Although we are all believers and love the Lord, we have grown apart… The Lord knew just what word I needed to hear. Thank you and may God bless you for your faithfulness. P31 is a breath of fresh air for my soul!!!