I found these great quotes on life and friendship today – after thinking about how blessed I am.  And like you – I have faced my share of disappointment – yes – even betrayal from a good friend when I didn’t even see it coming.  But God is good – life has been kind -and I am on a never ending journey to find love, forgiveness and grace in everything that I do.  Sometimes it does feel like I am a warrior – in a battle with myself and others I cannot even see – sometimes I feel like I am a child – incapable of handling that battle – I easily tire – and get restless – even lose hope – and in some cases, give up entirely – saying, “it’s hopeless”.  And like you – I say, “the world would be so much better if everyone would just think LIKE I DO”.

Unfortunately – here we are.  Left in a battle against ourselves – our thoughts and motives – trying our best to hear the will of God – and then simply –  Just do it!! And those unseen things – they are still there – trying to persuade us to just leave well enough alone – that everything is okay and we’re NOT in a battle.  But if you are a Christian – like me – you know that simply is not true.  The battle between good and evil is as old as history itself – and we are some of the players in that drama – called life.

This is why we suffer – this is why so many are sad and depressed – this is why it is so hard to get the victory over things in our lives – past failures that haunt us and take us SO LONG to get over.  Things people have done to us – we can’t forget them – harsh words spoken to us – or about us – or things we have said that we shouldn’t have – it is a part of that battle.  A battle with our sinful nature – and with our friend’s sinful nature too.

Take heart today, my friend.  We all are in a battle.  And sometimes a kind word from a good friend is like GOLD to us.  Be that good friend today and give a hug to a child.  Even this warrior is a child.

Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle.
Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.
Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that was not his.
Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most trivial of reasons. Every Warrior of the Light has, at least once, believed he was not a Warrior of the Light.
Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual duties.
Every Warrior of the Light has said ‘yes’ when he wanted to say ‘no.’
Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved.
That is why he is a Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.

Paulo Coelho
Source: Warrior of the Light

Anything may be betrayed, anyone may be forgiven, but not those who lack the courage of their own greatness.

Ayan Rand

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one’s self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

When on life’s journey it becomes our lot to travel with criticism of skeptics, the hate of some, the rejection of others, the impatience of many, or a friend’s betrayal, we must be able to pray in such a manner that an abiding faith and a strong testimony that the Lord will be with us to the end, will compel us to say, “Nevertheless, Father, Thy will be done, and with Thy help, in patience I will follow firmly on the path that takes me back to Thee.”

Angel Abrea

God Bless