Last night, I was blessed by a going away party hosted by Florida Cardiology. Whenever God asks you to go and leave behind so many people who have become family to you; you often wonder about the memories that they will have 5 years or 10 years from now. I tend to look back and remember the times I got things wrong, the times I spoke too quickly, the times I misunderstood or the times I wore my feelings on my sleeve. We do the same in our family relationships. We sometimes misunderstand and we sometimes are misunderstood. We sometimes disappoint and we are sometimes disappointed.
photo courtesy of © istock
Yet, the one thing that stands at the end of the day is love.
So my question to myself became did I demonstrate enough my love for each and everyone I have met on this part of my journey. Last night I was privileged to hear reflections of how I am remembered. The only verse I could find that would adequately describe how I felt was:
Proverbs 27: 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Thank you, Florida Cardiology for letting me
be a part of your family these 10 years. Thank you for helping me to grow. Thank you for believing in me. I leave a part of my heart here with all of you.
I found this song for each of you. It is titled "Friends are Friends are Forever."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2uIIJathUI (Preview)
Oh, and for all my friends around the world; let me say loud and clear. If you are ever in Orlando and need a cardiologist; I have one group to recommend and that is Florida Cardiology, PA. Every physician there cares for the heart with passion, love, and skill. They know that to mend a broken heart takes more than just repairing the arteries and the electrical system; it takes caring for the person as well.
So, can I stop there without sharing something that I have been learning through life?
When you need to move on it ENDS WELL if over the course of time you have at least tried to practice these nine principles.
1. Everything you do, do it with all your heart and all your passion as though unto God.
2. Never forget your own faults before judging those of others. (okay, not my best; but learning to do this)
3. Determine to always seek for truth and be willing to stand up for that which is just and right.
5. Serve as though you are serving God.
6. Willing to admit when you are wrong or have failed, then ask forgiveness with a truly repentant heart. Then forgive yourself.
7. Erase any bad tapes from your memory as quickly as possible. (okay, still in the classroom on this one as well)
8. Love as God has loved you
9. Laugh at yourself and with your friends, family, and acquaintances.
I have often failed to practice all nine; but, by the Grace of God I am learning step by step to grow in all nine areas. Just keep growing and learning from every relationship of your life. God will guide you to a greater knowledge of Him as you seek His guidance along the way.
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”