How to sharpen Iron

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another. (NIV)

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

In a perfect world, those whom we have relationships with would accept us as we are, including our faults and never ask us to change a thing. They would never call us out and they would never try to improve us. They would give us their full attention and never, ever, be frustrated or annoyed with anything that we do. But, thank God, it isn't a perfect world. It is a world that continues to challenge us and mature us. We must continue to grow. We must be refined and sharpened. When we are children, our parents serve as the main character builders in our lives. They help us to see where we can improve ourselves and give us encouragement along the way. When we move into the peer groups, we begin to listen to what others think about us and it is our closest friends that will teach us what it is that we need to do in our lives to improve. They become our accountability partners, they sharpen us. How does iron sharpen iron? I just read several websites that explain how Iron is manufactured and how it is formed. Indeed, when you add Iron to Iron, there is a process that takes place. The more that one Iron rubs on the other, it creates a shiny, flawless surface. It takes off all the impurities. The more you heat it or test it, the more chemicals that are squeezed out to make a more solid form of Iron. When our friends tell us something we don't want to hear, or challenge us and "turn the heat up" then we will become "brighter" and more solid, more pure, without all the impurities in our lives.

How can we sharpen our friends today? Has there been a friend that has spent the time and energy to sharpen you? What did they do? How awesome it would be if I could put together a list of first names and the action they took to "sharpen" you.

Give thanks for that friend today!!!!

Dear Lord, I thank you for putting friends in my life that have challenged me and sharpened me. I thank you that they were willing to encourage me and make me accountable to the things that will make me better. I know it is not easy to call out a friend and to challenge them. Help me to do this when you prompt me to. Help me to be more receptive to my friends when they take the time to sharpen me. May I be a blessing to you and my friends.

Please continue to pray for Chloe F. this week.

Please reply to me with any Praises and Prayers for this week. Mother's Day is this weekend. Give a shout out to a mom in your life that has touched you. First names are fine. Thanks again.