Spring has sprung, and with it unpredictable weather. California has been blessed with much needed rain. A LOT of rain!  The prayers of many were answered as this rain is bringing an end to the drought that has plagued our State for too long. As much as we need this rain… it’s seems to go on forever. Thankfully the Lord has also shown us mercy with a few days of sun to warm us in between the storms.

Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field. Zechariah 10:1 (ESV)

 Yesterday was one of those bright sunny days, so taking full advantage of the opportunity to absorb some vitamins D from the sun and shake off the winter doldrums; we made plans to get together with our friend for a nice walk by the river. The sun was bright and inviting as my husband, friend, and I headed up the trail.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

⁹Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

We walked, talked, laughed, searched for hearts and signs of life in nature to capture on camera, and generally enjoyed each other’s company. By the time we made it back to the car, over two hours had passed like it was nothing. We all had a good time and felt refreshed by the good natured companionship and sunshine(not to mention by all the hearts we spotted that blessed our spirits as well) You see, I’m known by some as the Queen of Hearts… Kind of a funny name and it brings a smile to my heart when I think of why…. I love hearts! I see them everywhere, No joke; EVERYWHERE! I consider myself to be extremely blessed by our Heavenly Father whenever I receive heart blessings from wherever I may encounter them. It’s like receiving a hug from God himself and a wonderful reminder that his love is unending. No matter how my day is going, I am reminded how blessed we truly are to have a loving Father in heaven to lean on, to have faith in, to be loved by, to have a relationship with.

 Did you know our Father in heaven wants a relationship with you? It’s true, he wants to be your best friend and for you to draw close to him in Christ.

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. John 15:12-15(WEB)

All that Christ went through on the cross was so we could get back to a close relationship with God; so we can live in his grace, love, peace and joy. As much as I enjoy time spent with those I hold dear, as refreshed as I felt after time walking and talking with my friend and husband; it does not compare to how restored I feel when I simply take time to seek God’s friendship. Quiet time alone with just me and my Father in heaven is the most precious and peaceful time I have in a day so I try to make sure I get some quality time in each and every day to talk (pray) to Christ or to God and just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit restoring me. I like to begin my days with prayer and scripture to put my mental focus and attitude on the right track from the start, then many times throughout my day (especially on a tough day) I like to just say “Hi” and realign my thoughts to better reflect HIS love in action.

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (ISV)

 I love time spent with family and friends, I count every moment (yes, even the trying moments) as blessings and lessons from my very best friend in the world and Heavenly Father. By spending time in reverence to, learning more about, and generally drawing closer to HIM daily, I am better able to give those I hold dear a much better version of me and a much clearer picture of what a friendship with God is all about…. That would be Love, Forgiveness, and Acceptance in my humble opinion.

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalm 100:2-4(NASB)

 If you are in need of a friend to talk to, if you just need to know someone cares, I encourage you to take some time to get to know the best friend in the entire world, a friend so true with a love so strong he sent his only son down as a perpetual sacrifice once and for all to save all who put their faith in him. Will you call on him today? He’s only a prayer away. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible; In various Translations

Photography; Dianna Wyles