Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I turned in early last night looking for a good night’s sleep but sleep didn’t come at all, so my time with the Living God began in the middle of the night and I prayed for hours instead. My heart was heavy, but not for myself…it was heavy for someone else desperately in need of the Touch of the Master’s Hand and I can feel their pain as surely as if it’s my own. As I sat in the Presence of the Source of Hope, I appealed on their behalf AND I thanked God for what He’s already doing to mend. I Praised Him for Victory without even seeing it yet, I thanked Him for answering my Prayers and for all the God-size things on the horizon and to Eternity for a friend. Isn’t that the way you help a friend in need too?

God Refined me through fire a long time ago and He Tenderized my Heart…He’s given me the kind of Heart it takes to look beyond the circumstances, flaws, or the “past” of someone else so that I can SEE the God Potential with 20/20 Vision. I can see them on the Mountain when they’re still in the valley. I can see them walking the straight line of Faith even when they’re zigzagging right now. I can see them turning from their “wicked ways” even when they’re still wallowing in them. I don’t care what they’ve done in the past because I know what’s in store for their Future with just one Touch of the Master’s Hand. It’s not easy Loving this way, but it’s the way we’re called to Love and the parable of the lost sheep is proof that we should never give up on the “lost” ones no matter how far they wonder off. If I don’t want God giving up on me, why would I give up on a brother or sister of mine?

I’m the kind of Friend you’d want on your side…the kind that will lose sleep to pray for you instead, but I need to warn you while I’m at it – if there’s anything that troubles my Heart it’s watching a life with Divine Purpose being squandered away as if there’s all the time in the world to waste. So, I’ll use the rod and staff of my Shepherd to help spur them on, and I’ll tap into Divine Wisdom to show them the way. I’ll love you as if it depends on me and I’ll pray like it depends on God. I KNOW there’s potential for so much more in His Name and I’ll pray like it…lead like it…and love like in hopes that One Day soon they’ll see themselves the Christ does. Sometimes having a Heart that’s been Refined to feel Compassion for another is not an easy thing to bear…but when I think about what Jesus had to bear to take on all my sins all in the Name of Love, it makes the Journey worthwhile.

I’ll “carry the burden” for my friend throughout this busy day and you can find me praying as I go. I refuse to watch someone squander a life with Divine Purpose so I’ll do my part to help them hunger for the Touch of the Master’s Hand where the Victory is found. Isn’t that really what Friends are for?