Friends.
I was hurt in the past so I didn't think I needed friends anymore. I was okay on my own. I have a great family, what more could I need? Besides I am so quiet and shy that did it really matter to have friends? Then I was asked to join a women's Bible study. That really pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. I was "forced" to start actually studying the Bible. I was surrounded with women and had to talk. Oh my, what will I do!
That is when I realized, I do need friends. I was very blessed to be put into the Bible study group I was in. God sent the best women for me He could. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
These women were sharpening me. They encouraged me. They pushed me. They prayed for me.
God did not call us to be alone. We need each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If one falls down the other can help him up. Pity the man that falls and has no one to pick him up."
My sweet sisters and I may not go out shopping or weekly lunch dates, but I know they are always there for me. I can call them up for prayer or encouragement at any moment. I praise God for my group of sweet sisters.
I encourage you, if you have close friends (accountability partners), cherish them. Grow that relationship. If you do not, join a Bible study group, or even start one and build those relationships. We all need each other.
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| My closest sweet sisters My mom, Debi, Mandy, me and Lisa |
Sweet Blessings~
P.S. I think I took six minutes to write and it is very hard not to go over and edit. *smiles*
Linking up with:
Brag on God Friday
Five Minute Friday
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Beautiful post... I'm in a place where lots of friends have hurt me... It's so hard to understand what's happening and it's even harder to not shut everyone out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, I need it
I lost a good friend due to death and a best friend had hurt me so much that I just thought I will keep to myself..I prayed to God to send me a friend that I can connect with and he did all along ..my sister.. and if he brings other friends for me I will open my heart freely..Thank you for your post I thought I was alone on this but I see I am not..God Bless you..
ReplyDeleteJenifer, I found the same great friendships with women bible study. There is just a bond there that is hard to get anywhere else. Love that verse in Ecclesiastes too! So thankful to call you friend! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteJenifer, I almost used that same picture. ;) God certainly knew what He was doing when He put our group together. I'm so thankful to be able to call you my friend. Love you, sweet sister!
ReplyDeleteI always have to spell check...so I usually take a little longer also. Usually one of my kids starts screaming too so my 5 minutes is broken up into an hour sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteSo true - we do need friends. I'm still friends with some of the women that I was in a women's Bible study with several years (and a few moves) ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Five-Minute Fridays even if it is REALLY hard not to edit. It's so fun seeing what everyone comes up with!
What a blessing God has given you! Praising Him for sweet friendships that are centered on Him :) Have a wonderful weekend Jenifer!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, we need friends!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you joined a Bible Study. God does want us to have fellowship with other Christians.
I'm glad I found your blog (through Pam's 2 Encourage).
Blessings,
Dawn
The Write Soil
Hi Jenifer - I loved your post today on friends. I also have been through that 'I don't need any friends' but thank the Lord, there are those who can see past the huff and puff of stubbornness into the need that God placed in me for friendship. Without my friends, I would be somewhat farther behind in my spiritual walk.
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome blessed weekend
Tracy