Friends

Today I was thinking about my friends.
How we first met.
How they knew nothing about me but there was something that they instantly liked about me that drew them to want to get to know me, inspite of me.
I realized that i use to live in yesteryear when the "old me" was in exsistance. I didn't like me much and thought, today, what has changed for people to want to get to know me now.
At times i fall back on yesteryear and get caught up in the failures and the times i caused great pain to people. I ask myself "have i changed?".
But today I realized this... When people meet you for the first time and want to get to know you, it's not about yesteryear it's about now. Now and the beyond.
I have tried my best to follow the example of Christ but most times i fall short but I no longer allow myself to beat myself up for past mistakes, rather, I chose to learn from them and move on...
I'm sure Jesus had some times with His disciples. I'm sure they didn't see eye to eye on things. For example...why did He let there be a trader among them and do nothing or say nothing when picking out his disciples. Could he not tell his heart at the get go. Was Jesus wanting to teach Judas something? My questions are endless and may never be answered.
So, I remain at the post of my thought...People obviously see something in me that they like. For me to try and change is pointless because then i am not being who they saw in the "raw".
So, though it has taken many years of judging, not others, but myself. I refuse to do that now and love the skin i'm in and rock on!
So to all my "Friends"...thanks for seeing something in me to want to join lives even when I don't see what you see.
I am honoured to call you all...my Friend!