The only thing that means anything is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6b

I have this phenomenal circle of friends. No truly, I do. I can't go to them with any question, or ask for help or advice, but I get the most love and support imaginable, tempered always with wise counsel. That is not to say that I am often (or even ever) told that "it's ok. You don't need to change these bad things, or ever try to improve yourself. You're great just the way you are!" They do love me just the way I am, but they never let me settle, never let it be "just good enough." They make me grow. They stretch me. They tickle me, and they touch me. I've seen some disturbing things about how friendship puts blinders on and doesn't allow us to see the flaws in people. I disagree. I see these women's flaws, and they see mine. We don't have blinders on. What we have on is grace. You see, it's one thing to "luuuv" a person inspite of all the ugliness, to allow them to wallow and flounder, to stand off from afar and trumpet judgement and shine a spotlight on the many things they do wrong. It's entirely another to climb down into the mud, take their hands and say "Let's battle this together. I'll hold you up and you hold me."

It's in the trenches.
It's where the rubber meets the road.

You see, I know all the things that are flawed in me. I am not wearing blinders. I certainly do not need someone else pointing out all the ways I fall short.  I am not asking for tolerance. I want grace. What I need is someone to step in and be God's arms, legs, hands and feet. What I need is someone to show me the love of Christ that doesn't say I love you when you do .... It says, I love you inspite of--but let's try to fix it anyway.