“In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Khalil Gibran
Happy Monday!
I hope you enjoyed that sprinkle of rain we got last week! I feel a little cheated because it poured at my house, but only in the middle of the night when I couldn’t really enjoy it. I love the rain. It’s mindful to watch and listen to, and it calms my mind. It’s like getting together with a friend ~ it’s sweet.
There are precious few things that bring us sweetness in this confusing time of contradictions and looming chaos. We plan and strategize to get optimal return on our physical, mental, and emotional investments, and somehow, we still feel empty and incomplete. I’m reminded of John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world, you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (AMPC)
Sweetness can take many forms. Finding comfort in Scripture and leaning on faith during tough times of uncertainty, no matter what the threat. It might mean a physical diagnosis that makes us anxious about what comes next. We can depend on passages and verses that remind us to look beyond discouragement.
We might find sweetness in routine. There’s much to be said for the sameness of our daily healthy habits that keep us moving forward despite perceived adversity. When we exercise, we feel accomplished and consequently heal our bodies. When we meditate, we allow our minds to rest and refresh. When we seek wise counsel, we find mental and emotional relief and guidance. Our efforts are rewarded with elevated moods, strong minds, and bodies.
And then there’s time with friends. Think about the last time you hung out with a friend, whether it’s someone you cherish and have known for years or a new acquaintance. We enjoy their company, share interesting stories, get to know each other better, and feel the joy of connection with another person who understands us. It’s the sweetness of sharing our deeper thoughts and silly imaginings that gives us the strength to face the rest of life’s challenges.
This quote from Khalil Gibran offers succinct imagery for the sweetness of friendship:
I try to make time every week to meet someone for coffee or a meal. It’s tough, sometimes, getting a commitment because we’re so busy, but it’s well worth the effort. I have several friends who share my perspective on quality versus quantity, so we make the most of our time together.
Last week, I spent the entire afternoon with my bestie trying to figure out how to connect a streaming service to her television. There were a few moments when we both wanted to strangle each other, but we’ve been friends for over 40 years (yes, I’m that old), so we just laughed about it and carried on. You probably would have enjoyed our playful banter.
This weekend, I spent time with relatively new friends sharing escapades of the past few weeks. These two are in their 80s and 90s, respectively, incredibly active, and full of wonderful tales about their lives. I treasure every moment with them and always look forward to our next opportunity to meet.
So, why am I sharing this? It’s essential to connect with people about things other than work, school, children, spouses, home improvement projects, and the like. We all need to set aside time to enjoy pleasant conversation and the exchange of ideas. Sometimes it sparks our creativity in other areas of our lives, and often, it provides the break we need from the negative messaging we receive daily.
Here are a couple of additional thoughts from Scripture:
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart” Proverbs 27:9 (AMP)
This week, make sure to set aside some time to meet with a friend. Keep an open mind about holding to an agenda and stay present with the conversation. Laugh, find little joys, and manage your expectations to allow your time to be rich in quality, even if there’s not much quantity. I believe your heart and mind will feel refreshed. Enjoy the sweetness!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
