To the friends who never left me

If I have sent this to you or tagged you in this, I have something to say to you.

I want you to know you are one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Coming from a person who has only watched people give up and abandon, I am thankful that I never had to see what it would look like as you walked out of my life. You have been constant. You have been persistent. You have been loyal. You constantly show me that people are capable of loving unconditionally. People like you are hard to find these days, even in people who call themselves Christians.

I am thankful that you stay. You don’t just stay with me when I am succeeding, when I am laughing/fun to be around, and when doors are opening for me. You stay with me when I have had one failure after another, in the hard moments when I have forgotten how to smile, and when doors slam in my face. You love me even when it is not beneficial to you. You love me when even when you don’t get anything in return.

You have seen the worst parts of me and love me like all you’ve seen is my best. You know my past, yet you don’t hold it against me. I know God gives me things exactly when I need them… that’s proven to be true because of the fact that He brought me you. Our paths crossed because God saw that I needed you. He was right. I needed someone who intercedes in prayer on my behalf without me asking. I needed someone who sharpened me just as much as I sharpen them.

I have studied the bible to see what it means to be a good friend and most of the things I’ve read are qualities that you possess. I have seen you sit silent while I’m in a state of vulnerability. I have seen you call me out when I was being stupid. I have seen you build me up, encourage me, and grow with me in faith. You have had my back in ways I’ll never be able to truly thank you for.

I am someone who pushes. I push people away when I am hurting and when I feel I’ve gotten too close to someone because then I give them the ability to hurt me. I’m sure I have pushed you away a time or two… maybe way more, but if you’re reading this, that means you haven’t given up on me. That means that you kept pestering me until I finally let you back in. Gosh I’m so thankful for you.

I can only pray that I will be able to have an impact on you the way you have on me. You have changed my life and I am a better person because of the friendship I have in you. I pray for you on a daily basis and I hope you know that I am here in all those seasons mentioned above, just like you were for me. I will try to hold my ground when all I wanna do is push. I promise to give and not just take. I will try my hardest to forgive quick and be slow to anger. I will strive to be the godly friend you have been in my life. You were an answered prayer at some point in my life and once you entered, you never stopped being one.

I do not say any of this lightly.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

I love you.

I’m thankful for you.

You are a blessing.