Even the hardest places of my life have been wrapped in the grace of good friends. Tonight, I find myself beyond grateful for the gift of them.

Blessed are those who offer the grace of a good friend. Who walk into every worn out and weak kneed moment of our lives. Who remind us of the beauty we hold and the gift we are. Who bravely speak truth even when it’s hard.

For they show us the gift of authentic relationship.

Blessed are those who hold space for a pain beyond understanding. Who do not need to know all the things to know we need the depth of a Father’s love. Who stand in the gap between the hard and holy. Who lay us down at the feet of Jesus over and over and over again.

For they show us love often asks us to offer nothing but compassion.

Blessed are those who show up without question. Who sit beside hospital beds. Who stand beside gravesites. Who hold our worlds together so we can fall apart.

For they show us the strength it takes to love out loud.

Blessed are those who aren’t afraid of hard things. Who wade into the unlovely pieces of our lives. Who still their opinions long enough to give us a safe place to fall. Who always make sure they leave us better than when they found us.

For they show us the meaning of grit and grace combined.

Blessed are those who inspire snort-inducing laughter. Who guffaw at our ridiculous. Who share every piece of theirs in kind. Who know that life is just too darn short to take it seriously.

For they show us how community makes pain survivable.

Yes, blessed are those who weep with us, rejoice with us, show up for us.

For in every way they bring us straight to the hands and heart of God.

”Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

John 15:13