As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT
I'm days away from finishing a draft of the first book in a new series. After months of work, I admit it's tempting to blast through the scenes just to get them on paper, then soak in the satisfaction of being done. But I have a terrific friend – an iron-sharpening friend – who critiques my stuff almost as soon as I write it, and she simply will not let me write "lazy". Especially this week. It doesn't matter that it's the first draft. It doesn't no one else will see it. It doesn't matter that we'll rewrite it anyway. She pushes me to dig deep and lay down a better first draft. And a better second, third and final draft will follow.
I need that same kind of push – an iron-sharpening friend – in my spiritual life. Now the Holy Spirit is always at work, challenging, encouraging and exhorting me. God's word convicts, enlightens and motivates me. I read deep books. I hear great teaching. But what a blessing it is to have deep, Godly friends…
who are in my corner when I wrestle with taking God at His word,
and walk with me and pray me through the difficult times,
And then, share those times of renewal and rejoicing.
Whether we get in touch by text, IM, email or over a milkshake, I know that my life is fuller, deeper and richer because of my iron-sharpening friends.
Who are your iron-sharpening friends"? Take a moment and let them know.
Mary says
You!
Lauren says
I have maybe one or two friends I can talk to about anything and they can be a pick-me-up. But I'm trying to get that relationship with my parents, too.
This is such a wonderful post (and the picture is adorable!) and thank you for letting us know there's another book in the future! 🙂