When I think of friendships, I imagine we’re all skating through life on roller blades. Some people with wobbly legs cling on the outskirts holding to the wall, others sit on the floor too unsure to move. There are those who skate with confidence, and in the center of the rink are the gifted ones who pirouette, leap, and frolic with ease.

As friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, we can help one another. Those who are afraid are encouraged by those with more confidence. Fearful floor dwellers are uplifted, shaky legs steadied. Stronger ones provide stability, teaching proper techniques. Then, when the weaker one gains strength, they slingshot off and zoom past as their friend’s cheer their success. That person then helps another, and on and on it goes, until we all skate into Heaven with the people we’ve met along our journey.

I laugh quite often with one of my sweet friends, Teena, about this visual. As I’ve traveled around the country with various moves, we’ve watched as God has led us through trials, heartaches, and joyful adventures. One moment she slingshots past me with an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord, and then another year, God opens a door for me. It’s been a grand adventure. We joke that even with our short hairstyles, our pig-tails are flying in the Holy Spirit wind.

You too have a place. Someone needs your hand, needs that extra help in the roller-rink of life. Others are here for you, holding on when you need a little assistance. In the stands, are ones cheering from the sideline and praying.

I (and others) need you in the rink of life. Your friendship, prayers, your hands, help, and encouragement, they are all needed. Link hands and link shields of faith, because you are needed, and let those pig-tails fly!

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NASB)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” ~ Proverbs 17:17 (NASB)

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB) Emphasis added.

From We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3BIJHyI

https://lisabuffaloe.com