19-May: I was encouraged when my friend wrote: "Your depth of scripture has led me often to passages you bring up. Your mention of God sightings from Esther is leading me to look for God sightings daily this week." Good friends truly are a blessing!
21-May: Another good friend of mine wrote: "I feel very blessed by your friendship... one of the calm "pillars" in my life that I can count on! " Since we often hear more negative than positive things, it is good to remember and focus on these instead.
28-May: Another friend of mine called last night and we talked for a couple of hours. She told me some of the things that she is going through that she hasn't really mentioned to others. I shared things that I had learned through similar experiences. And, at the end of the call, she said that she felt better for having talked to me.
1-Jun: Yesterday was like a day of celebrating with friends. I got together with my college prayer partner, her friend and her sister to celebrate her birthday (it also happened to be her sister's birthday that day as well). Then, I went to a housewarming party of a friend from my previous church. We had not seen each other for awhile; but, it was a blessing to catch up and to see her new place. What I appreciate about her is her enthusiasm for life and fun personality. She and I are probably somewhat opposite personalities; yet, she still has a side to her that can relate to quiet serious intellectuals. I think it reflects her interesting diversity. At the housewarming, I had a chance to catch up with yet another friend I had not seen for awhile. I think I had a chance to encourage her with what God has been teaching me this year about singleness and reaching the last phase (resistance->grudging acceptance->contentment->rejoicing). She actual shed some tears when I shared about realizing that Christ understands us in a special way, because when He was here on earth, He was a single in a time when people typically married early in life.
15-Jun: It was so neat and interesting that what God has been teaching me about friendship this year, Charles Stanley summarized it quite well in the devotional I read this morning. "Jesus is the best friend [we] will ever have"; and some of the elements of our relationship w/Him would be characteristics we should look for in our close friends:
- He is committed, and "will never leave [us] or forsake [us]"- we do not have to fear being "rejected"
- He is open and honest at all times, because He is Truth and there is no deception in Him
- He is sensitive to both our needs and our wants, and He "will supply all [our] needs" - this would make a friendship more equitable, for a person would not just "take" but also "give"
17-Jun: A friend of mine dropped by for a visit yesterday. He may be the friend who knew me better than anyone else, and the fact that we stayed friends through all these years (probably about 15 years now) and that he still would take the time to squeeze in for a visit on his way to the airport shows that he values my friendship. He shared pictures of his daughter, who was so cute, especially when playing in her piano recital. He is a friend who can challenge me intellectually, who respects and appreciates me, who is comfortable to be around, and who shares much in common. It would've been nice to have more time to catch up, and for me to discuss spiritual things, especially in areas I have grown in terms of knowledge since our previous discussions.
22-Jun: My friend whose housewarming I went to earlier in the month came to church with me for worship and my class. Afterwards, she said "Highlight was getting to see you teach your Truth101 class - God is definitely using and blessing you". That's encouraging. We also had lunch at Johnny Rebs - good 'ol country comfort food. She has such a joyful and friendly spirit that I was really uplifted after time spent with her today. This is the blessing of good friendships!
22-Jun: My friend whose housewarming I went to earlier in the month came to church with me for worship and my class. Afterwards, she said "Highlight was getting to see you teach your Truth101 class - God is definitely using and blessing you". That's encouraging. We also had lunch at Johnny Rebs - good 'ol country comfort food. She has such a joyful and friendly spirit that I was really uplifted after time spent with her today. This is the blessing of good friendships!
20-Aug: After what God has been teaching me this year about friendship, I think that I have a healthier and more mature perspective now. I believe that I previously surrounded myself with friends who were "needy" because I may have thought that if I was helping and supporting them, then they would be less likely to reject me. I do think it stems from my fear of rejection. Yet, from experience, those who are "needy" continually take and don't really give; and they themselves are rarely truly "healthy". So, "rejection" still happens, and usually for the insecurities that they personally have.
It's been nice to somewhat step away from that, and to start focusing on the healthier friendships, with two-way communication, support, and encouragement. It's nice not to have to "do all the work", and actually enjoy the benefits of more mature relationships.
18-Oct: I spent the day with another friend. While she may be considered in need financially; yet, what she brings to the friendship is a heart for prayer, her encouragement, and her appreciation of time spent with me. And today, we even had a really special time of worship as I played on my piano. We both could really sense the presence of the Holy Spirit through the praise. This friend also said to me that she thinks that I am so special and could see why God would want to set me apart for Himself. That's a really sweet comment.
23-Dec: My friend shared Colossians 3:16 "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with wisdom,through psalms,hymns, and songs from the spirit singing to God with gratitude in your hearts" and said "To me this is a decription of our friendship". Now that is precious.
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