I always need a little something extra to get me going on Monday mornings.  Love this video and song.  Probably watched it 3-4 times.  Enjoy….

Wasn’t that awesome!?!?!  Thanks to my man Lincoln Brewster for that.

Amazing wisdom wrapped up in Proverbs 17.  2 verses jumped out at me and they relate nicely to one another.

First, verse 17 says this, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

True friendship is an invaluable commodity.  People reach out to me all the time while in crisis.

One thing I’ve noticed in these situations is that the majority of us simply don’t have people who we can turn to when life is crashing down around us.

Most people are missing that friend that loves at all times and that brother or sister that will take us by the hand and journey with us when we’re broken.

The challenging part of this reality is that there is no quick fix.  It takes time to develop these kinds of relationships.

That’s why I believe in small groups.  But, a small group of people meeting together regularly is only the environment from which these types of relationships can develop.

If we don’t open our lives to those around us, we can attend a small group for years and still have relatively shallow relationships.

Not coincidentally, the road that leads us to a life of HAVING deep friendships begins with us BEING a friend that loves at all times; with us choosing to step into someone else’s adversity and navigate it with them.

I think we’re given a good first step in verse 9.  It reads, “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

Think about what it means to “cover an offense”.

It certainly means knowing how to keep our mouth shut.

I think it involves being a peacemaker.

Forgiving quickly.  Offering grace.  Offering our hand even when our heart has been wounded.  All of these serve to cover an offense.

Covering an offense has a healing effect – like medicine and a bandage on a wound.

Perhaps most importantly, is that it promotes love.

Purpose for this week to be a week where you intentionally deepen existing relationships and start new ones.  Look for ways to love those around you at all times.

Love, forgive, support, pray, and cover offenses.

Your life and faith will be better off for it….