Faith Filled Family Magazine August 2016 | Page 110
We are called to be a people
of hope, yet when confronted
by events that seem laden with
despair it is easy to lose sight of
God’s love for us. It is seemingly
harder to trust in God.
Especially in more vulnerable
times it is important to have a
sound voice rooted in God’s word
rather than that of the “market
place” speaking to us. Growing
up I recall my parents always
emphasizing the importance of
finding quality friendships. Not so
much based solely on a shared
faith, but one enriched with like
values, good habits, and positive
ambitions. When infused with a
shared love of God these friendships are a great asset.
The advice that many parents
give to their children about the
company they keep is often forgotten as one becomes an adult
and is surrounded by different
struggles and life situations.
Healthy friendships remain vital
to keep a balanced life. I have
witnessed many people who
have struggled in their marriages and have shared these
wounds in vulnerability to others,
those who are without faith. The
worldly emphasis on happiness
and self-satisfaction can truly
intoxicate one’s mind and lead
them down a whirlwind path
away from Christ and Christian
values. I have likewise seen
beautiful fellowship between
godly friends who share burdens
with one another. Who help lift
another through their struggle by
keeping them grounded in God
through prayer. This encouragement can help heal in even
the most impossible of circumstances, where we can truly see
the promise(s) of Christ fulfilled.
Though our friendship in Christ
can not erase the trial or difficulty
that another is going through we
can help to lessen the burden
and provide comfort. It is a sharing of grace that so often is best
understood and seen when the
ordeal is through.
our godly friends we find courage and strength to persevere
in all things, reserve ourselves
to God’s will and thus carry out
the Good News by the witness
of our lives.
Catherine Spada is a Public
Middle School educator and
We do not need to know the is currently loving her new role
right words to speak, but per- as a full-time mom. She enjoys
petually order ourselves upward giving presentations and sharing
to God and ask for the grace to the beauty of the faith. Catherine
know how to aid a friend. Some- resides outside of Toronto with
times the best and most impor- her husband and beautiful baby
tant thing we can do is to bow girl. Feel free to contact her with
our heads in prayer together. any questions or comments at
“Iron sharpens iron” and through [email protected]