Happy Saturday, Sisterhood!
It’s been an unusual week of beautiful weather in the middle of July-and I’m loving it!!
Proverbs 27 [AMP] has me pondering about friendship today:
5 Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction] than love that is hidden.
6a Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who correct out of love and concern]
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
17 As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].
As I write this, I am keenly aware that there are some of you who are reading that feel as if true friendships seem to have escaped your grasp. Rest assured that you’re in good company. Maybe you’re in a season where you feel alone and lonely- I’ve been there, more than once. Can I share something with you? Our perspective will have everything to do with how we get through those times. Some of my deepest growth has occurred in those “friendless” seasons. How beautiful to think that there are times when Jesus wants to be my one and only friend. So we can either tell ourselves that we are alone, or we can say Jesus is whisking us away for time together. You see, there is no one who loves you and I more than Jesus. I know, cliché, but true. You can absolutely bare your soul to Him; it’s not like He doesn’t already know 😉 And when we position ourselves to listen, He gives the best counsel. Sometimes, He has to show us the yucky parts of our hearts so that we can become more like Him. Even when it hurts, there’s safety in those moments of vulnerability with Him. He’s not only good, but He’s also got our good in mind. Conversation with Jesus is never wasted! And the more we have it, the more He’ll influence who we are becoming.
Sisters, I’m convinced that when we have a bedrock of friendship built with Jesus, we are able to wholly embrace physical friendship here. Look back on those 4 verses above. We often try and fit the people in our lives into these scriptures, but I challenge you to flip the script for a second. Plug Jesus in them for a moment. I believe that those very attributes we search for here on earth, must first be found in Him. The more we are familiar with them in Him, the more we begin to reflect those same traits, and the better we are at spotting them in the people around us.
Some heart questions about friendship:
Do friendships like this really exist? Absolutely. Ecc 4:9-12 is one of my favorite scriptures about friends.
Are true friends hard to find? Sometimes. The first step is to be one. We’ve got the greatest example in Jesus.
How do I make friends? Find a safe community of people who also love Jesus as much as you. Friendships take time. It’s not a race.
Will we always be alone? No way. Jesus won’t leave us here to do life alone; after all, He shared His life on earth with a few friends of His own.
Will there be times when my calling requires me to be alone? Check your perspective. Be cautious about your words: set apart is different than alone.
How do I tell if my friendship with Jesus needs some tlc? The moment I begin to look to someone else to fill the space that only He can.
If you find yourself wondering when this alone season will end, remember the narrative we tell ourselves is important. I need reminding every once in a while, too. I love you, Sisterhood!! I’m praying for you today. If you have a friend, consider yourself blessed. Reach out to someone and let them know what they mean to you!
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