Father’s Day was delightful.
The kids and I celebrated their dad, my husband, Kenya Hobbs, for all he is and does. It was so wonderful to see his eyes light up joyfully while receiving gifts from his wife and four children who adore the man he is.
I know it meant a lot to him.
The simple hand-made cards, cologne, tie, and other trinkets some would label "standard stuff," thrilled his heart.
Kenya is such a compassionate, caring person, with a hearty laugh and great sense of humor, whose heart so openly gives and receives love. Though he hears “I love you” from his family every day, several times a day, it’s not often that the entire clan lavishes him with gifts and undivided attention.
You know, after being married 14 years, in the process of raising a family together, juggling the responsibilities of business, career, and ministry, life can be so busy at times. Because we are partners in everything we do, we have to adapt the way we relate to each other depending upon what the circumstances call for at that moment.
For example, Kenya is my manager—a smart, capable, and wonderful one—so there are days when we must put on our “business hat” for meetings with our team to discuss scheduling, opportunities, and entrepreneurial goals.
He is also the administrator and assistant teacher for homeschooling, so he helps develop the curriculum, lesson plans, educational reports, and testing. And while we’re collaborating to create the best academic environment for the Hobbs children, we have to wear our “scholastic hat” to discuss strategies, milestones, resources, and methods to continually spur their intellectual growth and progress.
Kenya is also very hands-on with daily chores at home. So when we’re working in sync to keep the house orderly, we put on our “domesticated hat” to handle tasks like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and household repairs.
Our never-ending list of ways we partner to build a life necessitates flexibility and the wearing of diverse hats to be sure.
But no matter what we’re doing, Daily Cup family, there is one hat that sets the foundation for all others to be worn successfully, and it is labeled FRIEND.
Yes, our foundational friendship makes everything else possible. Each task Kenya and I take on together is made achievable by our intense love, closeness, understanding, and strong camaraderie. Friendship rooted in love makes doing life together easy. It is a belief both he and I share, and one by which we live.
This is why I love how the word of God styles those as friends who know and obey God's will, because friendship with God is the most important and rewarding relationship of all.
When we are counted among God’s friends, He reveals His business and purpose to us. Then we, out of our love and devotion to the Lord, carry out His divine plan. As a result of that, God makes us fruitful and grants the desires of our hearts.
How do I know that?
It says so right in John 15:14-16 NIV, which I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration. It says, “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
Wow. Isn't that awesome?
When you drink down the contents of your cup today, you will be reminded of what a rewarding, benefit-filled, fruitful life it is when you are on God's "friend list." All it takes to get there is obedience to His word and submission to His will.
And love makes it all possible... love for God and others.
It’s that simple.
So if you want to walk in true purpose and experience the kind of fruitfulness, and productivity that makes a lasting Kingdom impact in the world, get your “love life” in order, spiritually and naturally.
Again, loving God and loving people is the key to enjoying an amazing, life-changing, lasting friendship with the sovereign God of the universe. What an overwhelmingly wonderful honor to be able to draw near to our Lord and savior so intimately.
Now let’s draw near Him together in prayer.
God, thank You for the privilege and honor of being regarded as Your friend. I don’t ever want to lose my place of intimacy and closeness with You, so I ask that You would help me live in such a way that our friendship will never be in jeopardy. Right now, I submit anew to Your will and way my God, my friend, my everything! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
