“I want to keep it handy in case I need it,” she said, matter-of-factly.
She wasn’t talking about a flashlight.
Not a package of tissues.
Not a cell phone – they hadn’t been invented in 1978.
She was talking about Isaiah 55.
“I liked it,” she went on. “So I memorized it.”
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
The words poured from her lips, because they were, indeed, handy, and although the pale yellow V.W. Rabbit continued on its way south down Route 1, I had been stopped in my tracks at the miracle of memorization. My friend had captured for herself the treasure of thirteen verses of exquisite beauty and stunning promises — mountains and hills bursting into song and trees clapping their hands – all for the LORD’s glory and renown.
There is no way she could have known that my view of Scripture would be forever changed on that bumpy pot-holed ride, for I saw clearly that, in my friend’s mind, the Words of God were a banquet, and she would have devoured them all given the time and opportunity.
And this is the power and the gift of friendship: when hearts collide, lives are altered. Fortunately, some astute authors have noticed this almost-chemical reaction and have put their observations and insights into the pages of books.
This month, I’m delighted to share six books that spotlight friendship in some way over at the Redbud Post! I hope you’ll join me there, and bring your TBR and your Christmas shopping lists, because with two works of fiction and four non-fiction, there’s something for everyone!
Happy reading!
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You know I love good books (like Sensible Shoes!) Can’t wait to check these out at Redbud!
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Thanks for making the trip!
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Thanks for these recommendations! I love reading books with solid friendships!
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Great! I hope you’ll enjoy the two fiction choices. If you like the Sensible Shoes series, there’s plenty there to keep you busy for a long time!
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There is nothing like a solid friendship built on the foundation of Jesus Christ!
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Grateful for SO many of these!
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These look like a great list! Can’t wait to learn more. (And I’m smiling at your friend memorizing Isaiah 55. I’ve been working on John 15:1-18 (this was after a friend told me she was working on the whole book of Ephesians.)
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I find John 15 to be a very challenging passage to commit to memory. Not sure if it’s the repetition with slight changes in wording or the metaphorical style.
Good that you have taken it on!
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I just finished memorizing that passage! How about that?!
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Thanks for the recommendations, Michele. Many blessings to you!
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And to you as well!
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With all the family-related things that keep me busy, I tend to put less focus on forming friendships. This probably isn’t good for me, so I appreciate these recommendations!
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I have had the same tendency. And frankly, family fills so much of the time, it takes real effort to make room for friendship during almost every season of parenting.
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I’m sure those are all sweet reads. Thanks for sharing – I’d not heard of any of them before
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That’s great! I love sharing new books!
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…some days I wonder if the cellphone was a good invention.
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I would agree with your wondering.
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Friendship and the exploration of it and story telling of it is a theme I enjoy a lot in books.
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Yes, it’s so uplifting to read about.
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These look like great books! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
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Glad to point them out to friends!
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Thank you Michele! Timely for Christmas gifts 😉
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Great thought!
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Thank you so much for these book suggestions and linking up today!!
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Always appreciate your book recommendations, Michele. You know how to pick them!
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Thanks, Nancy!
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New to your blog, I love the uniqueness compared to other bloggers. You’re doing a great job! #ThatFridayLinky
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Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement!
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Love the way you started this, Michele! Very creative and intriguing! Heading over now and pinning before I go!
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[…] Post Inspiration – #46 SeniSal – promoting yourself theme. If you’re over 70 and you’re looking for tips on Party Wear for the holidays, check out Pamela’s post today. Or check out Michele’s 6 books to read if you’re a friend in training. […]
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Headed over to read now :). I can definitely use advice on friendship–as an introvert, I oten think I don’t ‘need’ friends. But I do. I’d like to be a better one.
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I am definitely a friend-in-training, and isn’t it true that we write about the things we are working on ourselves.
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Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
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a lovely selection, friendship is always a great subject and essential to us all #Twinklytuesday
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Blessings to you!
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Oh perfect weather/time for reading at the moment and books on friendship sound lovely #dreamteam
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Yes, I love this time of year for new reads and for pulling out old favorites.
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“Friends in training” <— I like that, Michele. Friendship is hard for me. It takes an investment of time that quite honestly is hard to carve out sometimes. These sound like great books. I need to pick one up for the new year and begin working on cultivating a new friendship. I know I do. Thanks for the reminders!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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Great idea for a collection of encouraging reads. Thanks for sharing!
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You are SO welcome!
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Thanks for sharing this great book list with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop Link Party!
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You are entirely welcome!
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I love the theme of your book list. There are so many wonderful reads to try, I’m not quite sure where to start. What would you recommend? Thank you for sharing your list with the #DreamTeam.
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I would recommend the Jan Peterson book as a beginning place. There’s so much simple wisdom there, and her prose is lovely and yet economical.
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I cherish my friendships, they are especially important as a Navy family who moves often. #GlobalBlogging
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Yes, I’m sure that all the moving must make you more mindful.
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I’m just heading over to read your guest post, Michele, but I had to comment here! I adore your turn of phrase “Gods words were a banquet and she would have devoured them all…” That is so beautiful! Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party community and for sharing with us!
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Thank you for your always encouraging presence here, April!
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