Pulse

It is a term used in medical references bit seldom do we hear it in daily conversation. I had to pick up a package from a long time friend at her office the other day. We were catching up and she said that she had had dinner with another of our mutual friends the week before. She said it was so great to have seen her...for they were roommates years back and "we just know each others pulse" and can pick up where we left off...The word "pulse" struck me...it is our physical indicator that relays the strength or weakness of our heartbeat. And when it is used in casual conversation it is meant to imply...we know each other very well...we know how the other one ticks.... we all have friends and family who could say the same about us....but what gets us to that point in a relationship? It is about being together...about sharing life's ups and downs...and decisions..and trust...and living out dreams or overcoming obstacles.....The deeper the relationship...the greater the pulse read.

You have to know where this is going....That pulse originates for the one who has created us. He knows us better than we even knows oursleves. He knows where we started and where we have been what we are dealing with now and where are headed. he knows our pulse....he knows when we have been triggered...by fear or disappointment or failure or chaos. And he is the trusted friend who can and will and does come along side us and help us to respond and recover! But we have to be in a relationship with him and allow His help. He will not just barge in and take over without invitation.

We choose our friends...we sometimes pick them becaue they have similar interests and then sometimes we are attacted to be friends becasue we are so different. But a good friend is someone who knows how you think...and can almost finish your sentences....they can see your heart without you saying a word about how you are dealing with something or what you perspective would be on something or where you needs are....or help to pick up pieces of a broken heart. And a good friend is wonderful to have.....but there is no friend so compassionate, understanding, trustworthy or wise as the one who has created us. And he is a full time friend....not a seasonal friend.

We have old friends who love but we seldom see....or past friends whose lives have taken different roads, and friends who are casual acquaintances and friends who we can call at a moments notice and know they will be there....but then we have to ask what kind of friend are we to others? Are we willing to get to know the "pulse" of someone else....that is a time investment....and an emotional investment? And it is a choice...a choice that we are free to make at any time with anyone.

But the richest friend choice of all that any of us can make is to decide to offer a hand of friendship to Christ...He has extened His hand unto us through what he did for us on the cross...we just have to reach out ours and take hold of it. What a friend we have in Jesus. May the words of the hymn below be a reminder of the blessing of friendship we have been offered through Christ.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

May each of us choose today to take Jesus' offered hand in ours if we have not already...and if we have..hold tighter to it...and cherish it and embrace it...and be grateful for all that we recieve through it.

For when we hold the hand of Jesus.... then we too will feel His pulse and learn to know his as he knows us.

Dear Lord...you do know the pulse of each of us....you know when our hearts are beating fast with anxiety and when they are beating in peace....Help us to strive to live within your pulse....where there resides wisdom and strength...and peace. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

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www.cathyjodeit.com

This blog link has all devotionals from the beginning of the year
http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/