Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk

Part 3

I’m enjoying sharing just a glimpse of what I’ve learned about friendship from those in my little circle of community. We may be small, but as last week’s post pointed out:

What He works through us together will far surpass what one person can accomplish alone.

If you missed Part 2 last week, you can find it here.

Before we move forward with the final lesson of this series, I’d like to honestly admit a struggle I have with friendship.

You see, I don’t consider myself good at the whole friend thing.

Now before you get upset with me, rest easy. I’m not trying to put myself down. I just believe honesty is important.

Sharing our struggles brings us together.

Sure, I’m quick to listen when a friend needs an attentive ear. And maybe I can offer tender words of support if called upon for that purpose. But I’ve never been one to intentionally seek out those connections. I just hang back and wait for things to happen naturally, but recently I’ve become convinced.

Friendships won’t happen without intention.

This simple point brings me to my third reason Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk.

Friendship reminds us that our small is God’s BIG.

I happen to know a woman who illustrates this point perfectly by the way she lives her life. She has four kids, the oldest a college graduate and the youngest in grade school. She has a LARGE extended family, and she opens her home to anyone in need as God directs her.

Yet she still makes time for connections with friends.

How can a sweet lady with such a busy household find time for lunch dates, texts, and dinner conversations? Simple. She puts God first, then makes time for others.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 NKJV

It’s in the small things that this humble lady leaves her biggest mark for God. Making time for fellowship with the friends in our lives can be just the thing someone needs to find the strength to face another day with a smile.

We may never see her picture on a billboard. (She’s a little shy about photos of herself, anyway.) But her influence is far-reaching through the simple gestures that bless others.

Yes, those things may seem small to us, but they are BIG to God.

As we wrap up the month of May next weekend, I pray you will find an opportunity to visit with a friend and nurture your God-given community. We see more of Him through them.

Blessings to you, friend.

Interested in more words of encouragement, devotions, and teachings based on God's word? Visit some of my favorite sites by clicking the buttons in the sidebar on the right!

Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk

Part 2

Community. Fellowship. Sisterhood. Yes, it’s something we long to have, but some of us have closed the door to our hearts where friendship is concerned.

You see, we’ve been hurt.

And hurt causes walls to be built and distance to grow, simply because we can’t stand the thought of going through that pain again.

The pain of losing a friend is all too real for many of us. Maybe a squabble sent your friendship into an irreparable state. Maybe your friend moved away, and the challenge of long-distance companionship was just too difficult for two busy lives. Or maybe devastating illness took your friend, and even though you know she is dancing with Jesus right now, the missing piece in your heart still aches for her company.

Whatever the cause, I’ll just bet that you never wanted to risk being hurt again. I know I didn’t. But thankfully, God completed an amazing restoration job on my heart and spirit.

During the month of May, I am sharing Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk. If you missed part one last week, click here to learn how friendship teaches us to receive.

Part 2: Friendship teaches us to trust again.

When Tonya passed away, I wanted to be left alone. That may sound harsh, but I’m being honest, here. The worst part was walking into that church building where she and I had planned, prayed, and served side by side for so long. Every room held a memory. I couldn’t stand being in the children’s church room, where her handwriting could still be seen on notepads, lessons, and posters all around. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and I didn’t want anyone to talk to me.

Eventually, most of my friends gave up trying to chip away at the rock-hard wall I’d built. But there was one lady who wouldn’t allow me to be left alone. She kept faithfully chipping away.

My friend is an extrovert by nature, a sweet Southern gal whose heart is as big as her smile. Tip-toeing around my overly-sensitive self was just not in her nature. She stayed close, not letting herself get pushed away when she could tell I was struggling.

And God knew that’s exactly what I needed.

He knew if I let the loss separate me from others, I would miss out on His great plan for my life.

Friendship teaches us to trust again, even when we don’t feel like we have the strength. By admitting vulnerability and trusting those relationships God brings into our lives, we allow Him to work mightily through us and our community of friends.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Where would we be today if we hadn’t let our walls from past hurts fall?

Let’s decide to open up to those God-ordained friendships and see what happens. What He works through us together will far surpass what one person can accomplish alone.

Visit again next week to read Part 3 of Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk. For more encouragement, visit some of my favorite sites by clicking the buttons in the sidebar to the right!