Do you have a best friend? You know, someone who will listen to you without interrupting; who will support and encourage you, whatever is happening in your life; who will give you advice when invited to do so? Are you blessed to have a friend like that?

Do you know God as a friend like that?

At the beginning of these Discovering Hope posts I said I wanted to share with you the God I know, because He may be different for me than for anyone else in the world. My unique needs, experience, knowledge, life-style, beliefs, thoughts, joys and griefs, mean that God is unique for me.

But He is also unique for every other person on this planet who ever was, is or will be. That is how great God is. He is willing to be a best friend to everyone – if you will let Him.

But even as I write that I know best friend does not describe who God is. Because best friends do not always know what is best for us. They can be offended or hurt. They can leave and move to another country far away or they can just walk away and end the relationship.

And God will not.

The God I know is intricately woven into the pattern of my life. He is everything I need, from friend to father, healer to guide, provider to protector. And He is there every moment.

The other morning I was writing in my journal and I asked God a question. I pray every morning that I may be a channel of His grace and peace and that He may be glorified by what I write and what I do. And, as I read His word that morning, He gave me the pattern of life He had prescribed for me which resonated with my soul so that my whole being rang with joy. He had heard me. He had answered my prayer. But what made it so amazing was that it was the second time that week it had happened. I asked a question. And God answered immediately.

Here is the pattern of life:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be raised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. 1 Peter 4:7-11

Now those of you who know me, will know that I have often not managed to live up to this pattern. I am not always hospitable; I do grumble; I don’t always speak God’s words. But I do try. And in a perfect world, this would describe the life for which I strive.

Do you know God in this way, that He responds to you through His word? You can. He is waiting, longing, for you to ask Him to be part of the fabric of your life. All you have to do is ask – and He will do the rest. He will even help you to believe, if you need such help.

God bless you and bless you with His grace today.

Some scriptures to ponder:

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 again and again, and let it sink into your mind, heart and soul. It’s a good place to start.