Friendship
Friendship! It is one of the most important things in this life to me. We are built for community! God designed us to do life together, to build genuine relationships with each other, to build each other up, to walk beside each other through all different seasons of life, to laugh and cry together through the daily ups & downs in life. Over the years the Lord has grown me in this area.
I had the very best, best friend anyone could ask for. She taught me how to be a good friend by being the greatest friend. She loved me and all her friends well. She taught me how to give and receive grace: I was on the receiving end more than the giving end. She lost her battle with cancer and went home to be with the Lord a few years ago. Since then the Lord has grown and stretched me in this area of friendship. Through prayer and intentionality new friendships have blossomed in my life.
When we look at the Story of Ruth and Naomi in the Book of Ruth 1:6-8 we see a great representation of true friendship. Ruth was completely devoted to Naomi, she vowed not even death itself would come between them. Ruth adopted Naomi’s faith so she knew they would spend life in eternity together. But while they lived here on Earth, Ruth did everything she could to be the kind of friend that celebrated and supported Naomi. Ruth would not do anything that would separate their hearts or drive a wedge in their friendship. Don’t you want that kind of friendship? Someone who loves you so deeply just for who you are?
But reality is friendships are hard and we need to work at maintaining them. And although some friendships are not forever we can still appreciate them all. I found this metaphor years ago that describes the different types of friendships and I have kept it nearby so I can remind myself when I need it.
Some types of friendships are more like a beauty found in nature.
- A Beautiful Sunset – You can never recreate the sky you once saw across the desert twilight. You enjoy it while it lasts. These are moments where you connect with a friend, but life takes you on different paths.
- A shooting Star – Some friends seem to appear out of nowhere, when it seems the lights have gone out in our lives, pitch dark. Like a shooting star, someone can offer the space to be heard, to be seen and to be known. This time together brings amazement. And then we say goodbye until the next dark night brings another ray of light.
- Flowers in Bloom – Other friends are like flower blooms. They are the ones we can share giggles and sweet exhilaration of joy. They can listen for hours and find us delightful. We may not see them often, but when we do, we leave with their fragrance on our hearts.
- Evergreens – There might be one or two evergreens that have somehow been there in the background, always standing ready to provide us protection and shade. These are our mentors, who have the ability to give by listening more than talking. But when they speak, they are choice words of wisdom.
In different circumstances or seasons, we may be blessed with one or more of these friendships. And then there our everyday friendships.
Just recently my group of friends showed up for me in a big way. God placed this dream in my heart but I couldn’t do it alone. So I reached out to see who could help see my God sized dream come to life and everyone of my “squad” showed up. I am so in awe of how God has blessed me in this way. Since that night a few years ago when I said goodbye to my sweet friend as she closed her eyes and went off into eternity with Jesus the Lord has placed women for in my life that have become some of the greatest friends. I prayed for a long time to have true genuine, authentic friendships, it didn’t happen immediately but God knew what he was doing. My friends have championed me and my God sized dream. Not all of them understand it but that doesn’t matter they know me and they push me to grow in the Lord and in the gifts He has given me. They have prayed, encouraged, supported and championed me and I am truly blessed and grateful for each one of my friends. Just like my friends showed up for me, I do my best to show up for them. I want to be the biggest cheerleader for my friends, encouraging them to chase their God sized dreams. Ladies, find yourself some friends who will pray for you, encourage you to be the best version of yourself, push you to walk closer and closer to the Lord daily, support you and show up when you need a helping had and champion you when you chase your dreams.
This is on of my favorite quotes about friendship: Let’s be women who no longer compare and compete, but celebrate and complete our friendships…with the unique offering we bring.” Renee Swope.
Building and maintaining friendships is hard. I know, life is busy but finding time to connect with your girlfriends is good for your heart. There will always be something that needs to get done: dishes, laundry, chauffeuring your kids around, appointments, our careers but if we want to have genuine friendships we need to make it a priority and be intentional about making time to invest and build deep lasting friendships.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage one another and build each other up
(build each other up not tear each other down)
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily.
(be in constant communication with each other)
Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer that a brother
(be a reliable friend and choose friends that you can rely on and stick together through
every season of life)
Ladies, let’s be courageous and intentional in building genuine, God honoring relationships with each other. Be friends who are patient, who are willing to pick up where we left off and forgive one another when we are imperfect. Let’s be women who seek joy, face the day with laughter, and who find purpose and meaning in real life with other women to share life with.