nineteen: words
December 19, 2008
“I am always here for you. You can call me anytime—even if it’s the middle of the night.”
I’ve said something along those lines a handful of times. One stands out in my mind because it was the most recent. I remember hanging up the phone and thinking about the people I know would be there for me in that way. Including some who’ve never uttered those nineteen words (or anything like them). And it got me thinking about how I know I can rely on them if they’ve never spelled it out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…
Have you ever had someone say something like that to you?
Do you know someone who’d be there for you in that way but hasn’t necessarily said it? How do you know?
I do know a few someones that haven’t spelled it out but I know that they would be there for me. Near and Far.
I know this because some already have and others wouldn’t know how to do anything else. It is in their make up to help and love and comfort.
I am blessed. I know that you are too.
I pray that these same people and others know that I am there for them also. HMMM Maybe I should spell it out to them. Good reminder this morning! Praying for you!!
Sometimes the words need to be said… as a reminder, a promise, a comfort.
I have a small handful of people in my life that this rings true for… whether or not the words have spoken… either recently or in times past. You’re on that list.
@danielleH says:
Alece,
It makes me happy to know you are surrounded with people that are there for you.
It is special when God gives a friendship or relationship that these words (or ability) are present.
@cassgirl says:
I cannot tell you in my my 42 years, how many times that I have heard those 19 words. Did they all come through as promised? No. But like Amy said, I can count the friends I have on my hands. I was born with 10 fingers now.
I don’t invest my heart much because I have an incredible fear Alece of being hurt. Okay I said it.
If I invest into your life, If I am loving YOU fiercely, you know it. I’m an emailer, because of my speech impediment. But I wouldn’t hestitate to pick up the phone at 2or 3 am and listen and hold a heart of girlfriend. I would drive to the middle of the states and let her cry or yell or scream.
I WOULD STAND BESIDE HER FAITHFULLY AND LOVINGLY EVENTHOUGH IT MAY ONLY BE SILENCE BETWEEN US.
I don’t have many of my own, I have ONLY a few.
But, I CHerish the ones I do have
and Thank my AMAZING God for each and every one of them.
I know you are there for me, because you told me those word and also I know you are someone I can trust by the kind of person you are.
There are others in my life I know i can go to such as, my older brothers (all three of them), a friend in Florida, my closest sister-in-law, and her brother even told me those same words only weeks ago out of the blue. These close loved ones care for me and would be there for me in anything, but I don’t often take them up on their offers of lending ears. I tend to keep it inside until i am at breaking point (which i recently hit) and then find one or two close friends to confide in. I don’t like people to worry about me and i don’t like people seeing through me to my weaknesses.
I rarely open up with anyone as I have with you over the past few months. I think it’s easer not being face to face sometimes. I thank you for your friendship and confidence, and for not judging (or at least not to much) or scorning. I know we all need these kind of friendships and i hope you have at least a few who you can turn to. Love you Alece!
I’ve said these words and I’ve heard them and I have called on these people in the middle of the night and I have been called in the middle of the night and wow, that’s powerful stuff. I have had friends sit in silence and pray with me and friends rejoice in victory even when it hasn’t manifested yet.
I have learned in the rough road behind exactly who those friends are and pray that I love on them the same way they loved on me. They are the people who share your vision even when you look crazy believing it, even when all seems lost because they know that God does what He says and they love their Jesus. They are the ones who climb on a roof with shovels and dig a hole to lower you to Him for His forgiveness and healing touch. You may not always agree, but you always love. I am blessed with those people in my life. It is a rare and precious gift … people who you can be you with and they love you, warts and all.
How do you know them? I believe your heart tells you who they are. I believe that God connects you in that way. Those people move from being just friends to being sisters … family … it’s an amazing thing. Your heart knows who they are and even if you’ve never met in person, you know each other. Maybe it is because God gives these friends the gift of seeing you through His eyes.
I don’t know, but writing this I am reminded of how blessed I am.
I do know of many people who would be there for me. Most of them have never spelled those words but I have seen how they go out of their way to make me feel their love.
Most of them are very far from Harrismith, so, when I travel I always have to set aside days after my assignments so that we catch up and in most cases there is so much to be taken care of.
You have never spelled it out to me, but I remember when u strengthened my feeble knees. Girl, I always thank God for you!! An inspiration to many and in your own way, you let people know that they are special. Keep it up, your reward is growing daily.
God bless
My mother has said those words to me. So has a friend.
And there are a few people in my life that may not have said it, but have let me know through gestures and just a general loving attitude toward me.
I have said these words.
Oh, I love what Amy said … yes! yes! I am so blessed with my mother who is all that and more to me!
I’ve said them and I’ve heard them.
I don’t always believe them.
When a person holds on through the toughest moments, without judgment but a listening ear, then I might take them up on the offer.
I’ve only found a couple of those people in life.
I am glad to have been that for some…it’s a good life when we know we can help carry someone’s burden.
I have heard and said those words. I don’t really know if they meant it, but my guess is yes, for at least a few.
I can’t think of a family member, or friend, that in an emergancy, I would not rush out to help. Since I have no reason to think I am any better than they are, I believe they would do the same.
I can’t explain it. You just KNOW. There are people that I know would be there for me if I needed them, but at the same time, I am one who is afraid to burden someone with my problems.
God completely gave me a serving heart because I LOVE to know I am helping someone and I always end up in a position where I am doing more for someone than they are for me….. because that is where I am comfortable. It can be a problem, but at the same time, when all is said and done I enjoy it.
When one of my best friends had her first baby, she literally called me at 2am crying b/c she was having trouble nursing. THis went on for a week….and I couldn’t have been happier that she felt comfortable enough to know she COULD call me. However, the only person I call in the middle of the night is my mom and that’s because she HAS to be there for me. LOL! ;-)
I know I have friends that I could call for anything at anytime, but I am bad at taking them up on that offer.
Another thing I am bad about is keeping in contact with people on a steady basis…. while *I* may know that they are someone I would do anything for, they may not always FEEL that b/c of my lack of communication sometimes. It is something I am working on and something that is always in the back of my mind…. something I need to be better about.
My thoughts are much like Ed’s though…… “I can
GASP!
That was a much longer response than I thought it was!!!!
*blush*
I do know some people who have told me that they would be there for me no matter what but there are only a few that I really would trust to hold up their end of the bargain. When you find someone who will stand by you and be a friend through thick and thin, you know you’re blessed.
yep, I have said it and heard it. i know there are a few people that would be there even without saying it and I have taken a few up on it….I am with one of those people now.
You have never said it, I don’t think….but I am fairly sure I could call you….
I really learned how to lean on others when my father was sick and then died…..friends truly are amazing and i am blessed to have so many wonderful ones.
@traceepersiko says:
That is a tough question…It is hard to discern who are the swines with your pearls. I think for me the answer comes down to character. Who has good character. meaning, does the person follow through on what they say in other areas. Character shows me that they say what they mean to say. (now i have the song in my head).
I gravitate towards trusting people who hold tight to words with weight. For instance the words “I love you,” I value when some one does not take those words lightly. People’s hearts are serious business.
I want to be a person of good character. I value people. I would hope to be a descibed as such.
Hmmm, I am sure someone has at some point in my life said those words to me. Well, recently one person said in reference to me going into labor, does that count?
But there are those I know are there for me that way, without them ever needing to utter those words. And there is only a handful of those people.
Sometimes people say things like the words above who don’t really mean it, and you can see it in their actions. For instance, I hate it when people tell me I am their “family”, and yet they are completely absent from my life. How is that “family”?
I am a true believer in letting your actions speak louder then your words.
such good insights here. thank you for sharing your hearts….
i find it much easier to be the one offering that and even the one being there for someone than actually taking someone up on their offer. it is still so hard for me to ask for help, even from someone i know will quickly run to my side.
i loved debra’s connection of this to someone who’d hoist you on a roof, pull back the shingles, and work their tails off to get you in front of jesus. i have someone doing that in my life right now, and THAT is blow-you-out-of-the-water true friendship.
I had someone say that very thing to me just yesterday. Those are nice words to hear, especially when you know that person means it.
it’s incredible to hear. i agree!
There are some solid people in my life (to have said these words) that have always been there in my life and there have (in recent years) been people who have sifted in and out. I think that we all need both. I have also been both of these kinds of people to people…if that makes any sense. I think it is because of the seasons we all go though…but more importantly, I think that God sets us up for who He would have for us and how He works in and through our lives for the right time.
i totally hear you about the seasons. it’s hard for me right now because i find myself in the season of needing to rely on people. and feeling alone right in the midst of obvious support. what is WRONG with me!?
@cassgirl says:
You are human!!