There are many people in my life.
I have a lot of acquaintances!
My husband and I have lived in this area all of our lives and we know EVERYONE it seems. Add to that all of the people we have befriended in the mountains. And oh my goodness, what about my cyber friends? (Ha.) Then of course, we open our farm to the public so people know me even when I don’t know them.
FRIENDSHIP
May I share something with you?
Over the years I have really guarded my heart when it comes to friends.
I have only had a couple of people in my life that I have called, “My Best Friend!” Pam was probably my first BEST friend. Sure, I had great friends that I loved and spent a lot of time with, but Pam was like family. Then came Tabatha and Tammy. They got me through middle school and high school! Thanks Ladies!
Now as an adult, I have a circle of female heart-friends. These are the people I contact with confidential prayer requests and I honestly could trust them with my life. Each one has her own unique qualities and I honestly can’t say ONE is my BEST. They are all my BEST FRIENDS. But that circle is small.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
I really thought my “guarding” was hidden until one of my heart-friends made the comment that I don’t allow too many people to get THAT close to me. OUCH!
I had experienced some rejection as a child, so it took a lot of FAITH to actually trust someone.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Alas, we need each other.
I wish could say that I made a conscious decision to put my heart out there and trust again, but it wasn’t my choice. It just sort-of happened.
It wasn’t that I walked in FAITH to find friends, but it was my FAITH that unified me with my friends.
I fell in love with my Redeemer!
My passion for Him took first place!
God brought others into my life who felt the same way. My closest friends are kindred hearts who live their lives for the Lord.
It our FAITH in Christ that causes a bond between us that is not easily severed.
Friendship
We grow closer to each other
When we’re closer to the Lord
The common faith that we share
Binds our hearts in one accord
For friendships last a life time
When built on Jesus Christ
Throughout each different season
We find we are in life
Friends are there through times of grief
And times when hope is gone
Always there with encouragement
So we can carry on
So thank the Lord for giving you
A true and faithful friend
To laugh with you, and cry with you
On whom you can depend
For friends will stay no matter what
Giving you support
And together your hearts truly unite
With the love of the Lord
© By M.S.Lowndes
I am grateful for my heart-friends in Christ!
What comes to mind when YOU think of faith and friendship? Bonnie, The Faith Barista, posed that question for us today. If you would like to join the discussion, click on Bonnie’s Faith Jam button below:
This was a great post! Love the pictures! It is so true, there is nothing greater than being with friends in the body of Christ!! What JOY ~ Much Love ~ alice
I too have always guarded myself when it comes to making friends….I think to call someone “friend” speaks volumes because with that comes much trust! I have one that I can truly call my best friend and I love her dearly! She’s always there if I need to vent or be encouraged or need prayer, and vice versa…and she’s also my sister in Christ,too!! That makes her even more special!
Loved this post, Beth. I can relate to keeping one’s heart guarded. But, the Christian journey is not a solitary one. Christians need each other. We need to encourage each other in our walks with the Lord, pray for each other in our struggles, and love on each other as Christ loves us. And God will bring people into our lives as we are faithful to reach out to touching the lives of others in obedience to Him. I enjoy reading your blog.
I know that God brought YOU into my life to be a heart friend! Love you
I love that poem you included Beth! I am blessed to get to know you as a friend through our blogs. Maybe one day we will actually get to meet in person and how fun that would be.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I have been one of those who guards my heart closely as well. I have some 3 girl friends who are like sisters to me. 1 is my cousin, and she goes to my church and believes like I do. The other 2 don’t, and it makes it hard to talk about those things with them. I love them dearly though, and continue to pray for them.
I’ve cried a lot,because it seems whenever someone comes into my life they usually end up leaving it. 🙁 So when I find friends, I try to hold on to them as much as I possibly can.
I’ve been blessed that all my best friends are also friends in faith. I don’t take that gift lightly, especially when I hear others tell of stories that are quite different.
Praying for all of us to have those meaningful faith friendships!
I am somewhat guarded myself. I have lots of friends, but I don’t trust everyone with the deep issues of my heart. Although over the last few years, I find myself confiding in complete strangers through blogging, who have become like sisters to me. I treasure each of the women God has placed in my life!
Proverbs 31:29
Amplified Bible (AMP)
29[a]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
When I think of you in my heart, this verse comes to mind…I love you my sweet, dear, FOREVER, sister-friend…..
Seachele
My circle is small also. Though I have lots of people in my life, only a few become covenant friends.
I think more than a few would be too much to handle…
Yes, my closests circle of friends are few but that is okay. We were made to do intimacy 1-1 and it’s just not logically possible I think. 🙂 But, I love, love, love what you said here —
“It wasn’t that I walked in FAITH to find friends, but it was my FAITH that unified me with my friends.”
Friendship finds us, doesn’t it. So many times, I’ve tried too hard and it just can’t happen. Friendship is a gift.. just like love. So happy the internet crossed our paths, Beth! 🙂