Charlotte

“Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith but in doubt. It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. ”
― Reinhold Neibuhr

“FRIEND

Only when you have walked with me through the valley of hardship...
When you have fought beside me against an evil foe...
When you have cried with me through a painful heartache...
When you have laughed with me at life joyous moments...
When you have held my hand in silent sorrow at my loss...
When you have trusted me in spite of your doubts,,,
When you have believed in me when I lacked confidence to believe in my self...
When you have defended my honor against lying tongues...
When you have prayed for me when I was temped to go wrong...
When you have stood with me as others walked away...
Then and only then can you call me friend. For then you truly know ME.
Then you will have paid the price of sisterhood/brotherhood.
Then you will have forged a bond that will transcend time and live beyond life.
Then you will truly be called a FRIEND who sticks closer than a brother...

© 2013 From the book Meditations From my Garden by Stella Payton”
― Stella Payton

“It is only once we stop taking everything for granted and fully open our hearts to the beauty that surrounds us that we will understand the importance of joining our hands in the construction of a better world for the people of generations to come.”
― Francisco Battiti

“If people think honoring pastors means doing everything they say, why don't they honor Jesus the same way?”
― D.R. Silva