Iron Sharpeneth Iron

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

I've been thinking of my friends who sharpen me. Several come to mind. My oldest and dearest friend never changes - she inspires me to just stay the course. There's the pastor's wife who is so energetic, that simply to be around her gives me energy. Another friend has such a meek and quiet spirit that she makes me long to be like her. There's also one who does everything with excellence - how I long for excellence in my life and in our ministry! One friend is a peacemaker - I've seen her calm an angry situation with a few well-chosen words. Still another friend works diligently in all she does; I want to be diligent. There's another friend who prays Scripture for people - what a blessing to have someone praying for you in that way. And my own pastor's wife, who simply loves her people. I've watched her love every person to walk in the door of our church, no matter who they are or what they've done. I want to love people so unconditionally!

I praise God for all of my sharpening friends, and I wonder if I help to sharpen anyone? I hope that I can encourage someone along the way to serve the Lord more or better or longer . . . we're to provoke one another to good works - to sharpen each other!