Catch and release

One day last week, I wrote a post titled

"Neither Jew Nor Greek". I actually wrote it before I started reading a book titled, "Same Kind of Different As Me". Ms. Jan left me a comment back in January telling me she enjoyed "The Shack " as much as I did, and she recommended this book to me. I ordered it and it came last week....after my post....and I had no idea what the book was even about!!!

Also...I sat down at the computer yesterday afternoon to work on this post....and the TV was on in the other room. I heard the lady on Live at Five at Four mention this book title, so I rushed in there...and the authors were on that show....oh, yes they were!!

I had no clue that they were even going to be on there.

Now...is this a coincidence, or luck?!? No way....I don't believe in either one, as I've told you all before!!!

It's a God-thing!!!

It also tells me that God wants me to read this book....

and in waiting this long since I got the message in January....

it's in His time!!!

Now is the time that He's trying to get His point across to me about something!!!

I might be sharing a bit more about the book as time goes on....but for today I want to talk about friendship...and becoming friends with those who just seem to be our polar opposite!!

The authors are Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Mr. Moore was homeless at the time the two met and Mr. Hall and his wife were volunteering at Union Gospel Mission where Mr. Moore would go and eat. So that I don't give away the entire story....which is a true story, by the way....I want to share this particular part with you that really touched my heart....and made me think about the post that I did about how certain people in my life that I came in contact with...I would have never even thought about becoming friends with!!!

Here's the excerpt from the book that I want to share with you all (this is Ron telling about a conversation he had with Denver - I've shortened it a bit to save time and space)

"I been thinkin a lot about what you asked me."

I had no idea what he was talking about. "What did I ask you?"

"Bout bein your friend."

I'd forgotten that when I'd told him all I wanted from him was his friendship, he'd said he'd think about it. Now, I was shocked that anyone would spend a week pondering such a question. While the whole conversation had slipped my mind, Denver had clearly spent serious time preparing his answer.

"There's somethin I heard 'bout white folks that bothers me, and it has to do with fishin."

"I heard that when white folks go fishin they do somethin called 'catch and release.' "

Catch and release? I nodded solemnly, suddenly nervous and curious at the same time.

"That really bothers me," Denver went on. "I just can't figure it out. 'Cause when colored folks go fishin, we really proud of what we catch, and we take it and show it off to everybody that'll look. Then we eat what we catch...in other words, we use it to sustain us. So it really bothers me that white folks would go to all that trouble to catch a fish, then when they done caught it, just throw it back in the water."

The silence betwen us stretched a full minute.

Then, Denver said..."Did you hear what I said?"

I nodded, afraid to speak, afraid to offend.

"So, Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend."

Suddenly his eyes gentled and he spoke more softly than before: "But if you is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever."

When I read this...I didn't necessarily think about friendships that I've had that just didn't work out....I thought more along the lines of those that I failed to be a friends with because maybe I thought I was better than they are. Am I the only person who is crazy enough to even admit that???? I know there are those in my past I was close to that I've drifted away from for whatever reason....people move away, change jobs, fail to keep in touch!!!

I just want to learn and grow and to never ever forget that God made all of us...He loves each of us the same...it's us who see the differences...and who make the difference, be it a positive one, or a negative one!!!

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) - A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

A true friend is "always" loyal....won't let us down....won't just disregard us when we come to them with a need, or a problem, but will truly try to help us...advise us...pray for us!!!

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) -There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

True "friends" will never try to destroy, or tear down, one another. They will stick by each other during the good times and the bad times. If they don't...then, they were never "true" friends to begin with.

Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) - Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

Sometimes, as friends, we hurt one another, hopefully unintentionally....but, sometimes a word will be said, or something done, that offends. Sincere friends will ask for forgiveness and will never hesitate to say "I'm sorry"!!!

Proverbs 27:9 (NLT) - The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

I've never really had a lot of good, true friends. I think because I've never really felt comfortable pouring my heart out and sharing things....personal things....with others. I'm learning to overcome that, though. I have a dear friend who gives me "heartfelt counsel". This verse of scripture also reminds me of something else.....praying friends.....those who we know without a shadow of a doubt if we ask them for advice...or ask them to lift us up in prayer....they're there to share with us their opinion on the matter...and to pray for us...and with us!!!

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

This is probably my favorite verse about friendship. As friends we "sharpen" one another. We bring out the best in each other....we encourage.

Do all of you show yourselves friendly so that you can make friends?

That's what it takes....we have to show a true, kind, loving heart for others to even be drawn to us for a friendship to begin!!!

I know this has been a very long read...but I hope maybe you've learned the lesson I did from what I shared with you out of the book.

"Catch and Release"....

I don't want to be that kind of friend....to show myself friendly and become close to someone, just to turn my back on them in their time of need!!!!

I want to leave you with this song...it came to my mind as soon as I thought about the topic of friendship!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!