A wise friend once told me that it takes EFFORT to keep in touch with friends you want to keep. Forgive me for being complacent and insouciant about this. I have turned a blind eye to what the essence of life has been all along. It puts me to great shame to have to be convicted about this through the movie Les Mis when I have known about it all this time. I've studied about it, read about it, discussed about it but never did anything about it that could actually last. What is the essence of all this? What is it?
No matter how cliche it may sound to you, this goes without saying, it is love but I hope you will find be convicted as I am now to understand this.
Yes, I agree that we all have our own lives to live, important issues to attend to, and bla bla pi belah, but hey, let not this world take over the friendship of whom we once shared a good time with.
As I was writing this, I was reminded of a little piece of folded A4 paper I kept in my wallet since 2010(it's barely recognisable now). I took this paper off a magazine (may/june issue 2010). It is an article of children book reviews written by an 11-year-old girl whom God used to impact the lives of many in my circle of friends here in Penang.
In this particular review of a children book entitled "The Tail of Emily Windsnap" by Liz Kessler, I quote this 11-year-old girl saying "Such a friendship is rare indeed. It is a diamond in the rough, a jewel among stones. It is indeed rare and precious. I hope people will start treasuring their friends as if they are gems." An 11-year-old to even think like that, I was humbled and it stuck with me ever since.
What a blessing she has been and what a blessing she always will be. There was no malice, gossip, grudge, or hatred in this child. She's a kid and yet some of us couldn't even act like adults.
This young angel went home to be with the Lord on 30th June 2010. She lived a short life and left a long legacy. I know this girl, her name is Anya.
Since I was talking about Les Miserables, I know some of you watched the actual live plays in London more than 5 times, read the book, went for the concerts and all I did was watch the movie. I was reminded of how important love and friendship is. Lastly, I quote "Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another." - Victor Hugo
Of course, we are humans and humans are not perfect. All human beings are fallible. I speak for myself. All I can say is that we are all work in progress.
Do continue to be salt and light to the world out there! May we continue to thread one another's fuse so that we keep on burning!(I hope that made sense to you cuz it didn't to me but it sounds good.)
Here's a few verses for you to set your day right with God everyday! Most of them can be found in the book of Proverbs.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)
- Proverbs 27:17
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. (NLT)
- Proverbs 16:28
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (NLT)
- Proverbs 27:5-6
Daniel
