FRIENDS KEEP YOU SHARP

I have been writing for a lot of years now. I write for a local town paper back in Ohio and I send out email articles to a couple of thousand people around the world. The response I received is for the most part encouraging. Several times I have considered laying aside my pen (so to speak), but then I'll receive a comment or questions or a note of encouragement from some reader.

Over the years I have become acquainted with quite a number of new friends because of my writings (as well as a couple of folks who have taken exception to something I have written). All in all it has been a blessing to me through the years. When you write, as I do, you put yourself out there in front of people and reveal things about who you really are and what you really believe that many could not bring themselves to do.

I was thinking about my many friends and acquaintances and a passage from Proverbs came to mind. The writer said at one point, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another". (Proverbs 27:17). Now when I started writing I never imagined that I would be starting a Bible question and answer ministry. I never imagined that I would do "online" counseling. I never imagined that through the miracle of the Internet, I would received emails from people literally all over the world, to whom someone has sent some of my writings. I never imagined that I would become close friends with people through correspondence (as close as you can become, never actually meeting face to face).

I've been asked before, "How much do you get paid for your writing?" The answer is always the same. I get paid nothing, but the value I receive emotionally and spiritually can not be weighed or measured.

Through this writing I have been "sharpened." I have been forced to look deeper at my beliefs, my faith and my relationship to God because of the comments and questions you send my way. But then, that's what friends do… They keep you sharp!

So a special thanks to all of you who have questioned and encouraged (or just put up with my rambling). You have been a blessing to me!

The question perhaps for you is, "Who sharpens you?" I have known people who can't take criticism at all, can't stand for anyone to question their stances or their beliefs. If that's you, then you are missing a blessing in life. Now, I did not say it was easy to deal with questions or criticism, but if you want to stay sharp you have to have it from time to time. In fact I would go as far as to say, that if you are never questioned, then you are either doing something wrong, or doing nothing at all. The old saying still rings true, "If you want never to be criticized, then, do nothing, say nothing and stand for nothing."

 I believe that God intends for each of us to make a difference in our world. To be that light shining from the candle (Matthew 5:15), to "let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16) Maybe it's time for you to take a chance, make a statement, or make a stand for God. What do you think?