Have you ever balanced a see-saw?
You shift your weight from one foot to the next to keep the board balanced. It’s a struggle to find just the right spot to stand and once you’re there you have hold still. No moving. No shifting. No changing.
You can also balance a see-saw with a friend. She sits across from you. She pushes you up and holds you there. When you shifts, she shifts. When you move, she moves. It’s like a dance, this balancing act. The movements go from HUGE to barely noticeable as you find your balance.
Friendships are like see-saws — in the beginning there are ups and downs, but as time progresses and you get to know one another more, you find your balance.
Even as you find your balance, you will still have some ups and downs — it’s the nature of the see-saw and of life.
I recently hit a low place, my fanny was stuck in muck and mire and my see saw wasn’t going anywhere. It was selfish pride. I felt left out, looked over, ignored. I was slap eat up with jealousy (that’s a good ol’ Southern phrase) . I emailed some dear friends — the ones who balance me out — and asked for prayer. One of those sweet friends sent me a funny reply that reminded me just how silly and petty I was being — she balanced me.
I need friends who truly balance me. I don’t need people to agree with whatever I say — goodness knows I say some goofy stuff.
I need friends who will look me square in the eye and say ‘no, that’s not okay. You are acting <silly, petty, mean, whatever the case may be> and I expect more from you.”
I need friends who hold me accountable.
I need friends who push me to be more like Christ. I need friends who remind me that I’m called to do His will, not my own. I need friends who push me beyond myself and into God’s will.
I need friends who balance me. I’m blessed to have some see saw friends. What about you?
Are your friends balancing you? Holding you accountable? And asking you to look beyond yourself?
Oh my goodness! GIRL! If you only knew!
I do have a see-saw friend and she and I just had a conversation similiar to this a few days ago.
Isn’t it funny how the Lord places the same topics on his childrens hearts and minds at the same time.
Hmm…Do you think He is trying to tell us all something? 🙂
LOL!!
I love you girl!
Lisa
Oh yes! God has given me amazing friends who love me, call me out and are REAL….the best kind of friends!
I shudder to think what a horrifying mess of a person I would be if I only had friends who told me what I wanted to hear.
Lord, have mercy.
Thanks for sitting opposite me on the see saw of life.
I have learned as I’ve walked more closely with the Lord that sometimes He uses friends to call us out, but sometimes, He just flat throws the Holy Spirit all over us and there is so much conviction I can hardly stand it. That happened to me most recently. Ughh!!
In the world of challenges I live in, I can not imagine my life without the precious, faithful, forgiving and honest, spirit-filled friends I have around me. Including you sweet Mary.
I have had my share of the see-saw “friends” who hit hit the dust when my failures unbalanced me. It feels kind of like when someone gets off the other end of the see-saw when you are in the air. A very hard fall.
Thank you Mary, for being one who has caught me in the fall.
Love you,
Pat
I have one friend that I can call faithful even when my see saw is not balanced she doesn’t have the time I have to get together but she is precious to me and she will balance me out eventually even though it hurts but in the bible it says iron sharpens iron so I am thankful to have those friends in my life that bring the much needed things in my life that turn me around to Jesus.
Mary I can count you in as being one of those precious friends even though I don’t know you face to face I still count you as one of those precious friends you keep me faithful when I come to your blog it always has something just for me.
Thankful I know you my friend and one day I will get to hug your sweet neck in person.
Love you
Carol
Such a good word Mary. We need ALL kinds to keep us in balance. Hope you have a beautiful week my friend. Glad I was able to see you this past weekend. Keep after Him!!
((hugs))