Day 22 of 31 Days of Connecting
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25
I hold on tight to my friendships. It’s because I don’t have many of them. And that’s not because people don’t like me (as I once believed), but because I thrive with a few close friends.
My closest, dearest friends are those who encourage me towards love. The ones who teach me how to love, who love me, and reveal to me that I am lovable. They let me know when I am seeing myself poorly. They let me know when I am being overly harsh with a leader, my husband, or my kids. They listen.
I learn to love from them because they love well.
They don’t assume my circumstances are the same as theirs, but let me talk.
They let me feel my feelings, validating each and every one. But they point out the error in my beliefs when they are present. Because though my feelings are valid, the beliefs driving them often could stand for correction.
My friends don’t assume that their way is my way. They don’t tell me how to parent my kids, but encourage me as I figure out how it will work best for me on my own. They know I am not the same as them. They know my kids are not the same as theirs.
My friends have hurt my feelings. My true friends have let me tell them that and have apologized. And I am safe with them to confess my faults in the same way.
My friends let me cry. They don’t try to make me stop. They don’t tell me everything is okay when it isn’t. They let me feel. They pray for me. They stand by me.
My friends see me not for who I am, but for who God created me to be. They don’t give up on me, but allow me to stumble blindly as I reach out for the hope that was promised in Christ.
Yes, my friends love well.
To those who have been this for me, thank you for being my friend.
And though we may not live in the same city, state or even country, I hope to never stop meeting with you.
What a sweet reminder. I was considering posting about my friends. I feel the same way you do. I depend on a few close dear friends.
They’re the best!
I love this post. You shared the way I feel about many people but have struggled to say. I’m going to e-mail a few of them this link so they can read your words.
Oh cool! I’m glad I could help out. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Friends that you can be real with! I totally get it. I love that verse too.
They’re precious.
Absolutely love this. You should write your girlfriends a note with this post inside. I’m sure it would make their day.
We are very similar! I hold my closest friends near and dear to me. They are the ones I can call in the middle of the night, the ones who, even if we don’t talk for months at a time, can pick up right where we left off.
Thank you for sharing!!!!
I love it when you can reconnect as if you’d just seen each other yesterday. That’s a really great friend. Thanks for reading and commenting!
You’re very welcome, Leah!
Wise words
Thank you, Jane!
Great post! I, too, thrive with just a few friends. 🙂
I liked this a lot. AND, since the scripture has the word HOPE in it I am going to add it to my queue of Hope verses to write on. I have wonderful friends and I am going to honor them before this challenge is over. THANK YOU!
I’m so glad I could help you with material! I hope you let me know when you’ve written it. I would love to read it.
though my feelings are valid by beliefs my news correcting… great thought. I’ve often wanted to invalidate feelings but am realizing emotions are so much of how we are made in gods image . thanks for stopping by my blog I enjoyed your post today
Thank you for coming by mine!
Loved this post! These are so my dear friends and I am so very thankful for them. A year ago I moved to a new community and was worried about meeting new people. I have been blessed with a small group of amazing friends! Thanks for capturing how they make me feel in your post today!
[…] fully intend to listen well. To be a good friend as my friends have been to me. To support them as they have supported me. And yet, I find myself doing it again. Focusing on […]