I wrote about expectation adjustments a few weeks ago after talking to a friend. You know, a friend...what is a friend?
A friend is someone who understands what we are all about and speaks our same inner language-they get how our minds work. No time in conversation has to be wasted explaining what is meant by what is said--they know what is meant without any problem--inherently. They've spent the time listening over years to get us.
Being a friend means to do the same thing--listen, listen hard, and work to get to know the nuances of your friend's language. Feel what they feel, care about what they care about. Applaud their accomplishments and grieve when they grieve.
In Christian relationships, iron sharpens iron, and true friends tell you the truth in love. They try sincerely to help, even when it may hurt a little. They love. Plain and simple, because that is love.
A true friend sticks closer than a brother, and when you think of family dynamics, that is a blessed reality.
Contrast and compare friendships with casual, or acquaintance-type, relationships.
Oftentimes we interact, perhaps often, with people who do not understand who we really are or what we are about. In vain we can try to be ourselves, but they may misread, misinterpret, or spend too much time thinking on rebuttals and who they perceive you to be so that they don't actually get to know you. You can also be transparent and reach out, only to be met with people who really aren't good at communicating or generally seem disinterested in being close.
My mother always said you are blessed if you can count the number of friends you have on one hand. As her birthday approaches, that wisdom has continued to hold true. She was someone I could really open up to and talk to, we spoke the same language. Even if we didn't agree, she would still be able to listen and respect who I was becoming. She died before I graduated college, when I was a babe in Christ. You know those years are formative. The cement is firming up on many fronts of who we will be throughout our life.
In Christ Alone, (but so thankful for a husband who is a true friend and several additions to that circle)
A friend is someone who understands what we are all about and speaks our same inner language-they get how our minds work. No time in conversation has to be wasted explaining what is meant by what is said--they know what is meant without any problem--inherently. They've spent the time listening over years to get us.
Being a friend means to do the same thing--listen, listen hard, and work to get to know the nuances of your friend's language. Feel what they feel, care about what they care about. Applaud their accomplishments and grieve when they grieve.
In Christian relationships, iron sharpens iron, and true friends tell you the truth in love. They try sincerely to help, even when it may hurt a little. They love. Plain and simple, because that is love.
A true friend sticks closer than a brother, and when you think of family dynamics, that is a blessed reality.
Contrast and compare friendships with casual, or acquaintance-type, relationships.
Oftentimes we interact, perhaps often, with people who do not understand who we really are or what we are about. In vain we can try to be ourselves, but they may misread, misinterpret, or spend too much time thinking on rebuttals and who they perceive you to be so that they don't actually get to know you. You can also be transparent and reach out, only to be met with people who really aren't good at communicating or generally seem disinterested in being close.
My mother always said you are blessed if you can count the number of friends you have on one hand. As her birthday approaches, that wisdom has continued to hold true. She was someone I could really open up to and talk to, we spoke the same language. Even if we didn't agree, she would still be able to listen and respect who I was becoming. She died before I graduated college, when I was a babe in Christ. You know those years are formative. The cement is firming up on many fronts of who we will be throughout our life.
In Christ Alone, (but so thankful for a husband who is a true friend and several additions to that circle)
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