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Originally uploaded by MAPryor

Growing pains are defined as "pain in muscles or joints sometimes experienced by children and often attributed to rapid growth." Perhaps you have heard your child mention that his legs hurt and if you have no other reason to attribute it too, you may simply respond, "Oh, those must be growing pains."

What about the "growing pains" you experience in your walk with God. No, these pains are not real, but I am using the word as a comparison for many life experiences or lessons. With every lesson and the temporary pain that is associated with it, you can be thankful for the various milestones and the remarkable victories that you celebrate. "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. It pays to take God seriously." (Prov. 16:9, The Message) There is something so beautiful when you look back over a situation that caused you much disappointment only to realize that you were about to learn a valuable lesson that you alone needed to experience. Growing pains are good because they remind you that you are maturing in the Lord!

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in his praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. Look, Your Saviour Comes! (Isaiah 61:10-11, The Message)

Friend

Thank You For Being My Friend

Thank you for believing in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself...for saying what I've needed to hear sometimes, instead of what I've wanted to hear... for siding with me...and for giving me another side to consider.

Thank you for opening yourself up to me...for trusting me with your thoughts and disappointments and dreams...
for knowing you can depend on me
and for asking my help when you've needed it.

Thank you for putting so much thought and care and imagination into our friendship... for sharing so many nice times and making so many special memories with me.

Thank you for always being honest with me
being kind to me...being there for me.

Thank you for being a friend to me in so many meaningful ways.

--Larry S. Chengges