“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.” Proverbs 27:6

“Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh of hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; and go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.” Proverbs 27:10

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Dear Heavenly Father, You have given me many blessings in life, but the greatest blessings are my friends. Starting with your Son, Jesus, who laid down his life for me and then certain family members who choose to love me like a friend instead of tolerating me as a “sibling” and finally so many Christian friends who do life with me. They listen to me carefully. They love me faithfully by forgiving me of my repeated mistakes. They risk my disdain by rebuking me. They step in to lift the other end of the log when I can’t carry my burdens alone. They grace the most dreary day with their little rays of sunshine. If it were not for the friends you have granted me, I would be sunk. Thanks for filling my life with them. Amen.

When you are prone to count your blessings, start with your friends.