I read a quote about a week ago in which Piglet asks a question about “forever friends”, pointing to the longing in all our hearts – we desire “forever” friends.
A forever friend – the kind who stays through thick and thin. Good times and bad. The sort who knows much about you, including your faults, and chooses to remain in your life in spite of them. The friend who knows your dreams, your disappointments, your pain, your laughter, your tears, your joys. They can come alongside of you and with just a hug speak more than a thousand words.
Piglet’s question brought me to ask another question –
What does it take to build this kind of friendship?
- Wise Conversation. “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28, NLT) Gossip is defined as “idle talk, especially about the affairs of others, that is damaging to the reputation of another” (dictionary.com). Too often we think gossip is only false information but it is any information which truly is not ours to share. Notice who it separates – not just friends, but the closest of friends. Gossip will breed mistrust as one begins to wonder if they are not also being discussed with others.
- Wise in Forgiveness. “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, NLT) Maintaining a good friendship means choosing to forgive rather than dwell on the faults of one another. Again, notice who it will separate – – > “close friends“. Dwelling on a fault will magnify the fault making it appear larger than in actuality.
- Wise in Contact. “Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one would speak to a friend.” (Exodus 33:11, NLT)Â Social media is a wonderful and fun medium but should not replace the face to face contact we have with one another. There is an intimacy which grows when we see facial expressions, hear voice inflections, and sit in community.
In her book, Nobody’s Cuter than You
There are probably only a handful of times in our lives when someone who will change us forever walks in – when we find someone we can love with our whole hearts, who will challenge us and shape us and make us feel like the world is safer and brighter just because they are in it. A person who loves us for exactly who we are, yet teaches us to be better because of who they are and how they live their life. (page 9)
Friendship are priceless and may we treat them as such.
May we be friends “even longer”.
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Three Word Wednesday and Wedded Wednesday and Women With Intention and Wednesday Prayer Girls .
I have let my many moves separate me from most of my old friends. I so agree that social media is nice, but it really can’t replace that much needed face to face contact. I always love your Winnie the Pooh quotes :).
Candace, thank you so much for encouraging me on the Winnie the Pooh quotes. I have been amazed at how I am learning from them.
Lovely thoughts about friendship. To be known as we really are, that is true friendship, isn’t it?:) Stopping over from #TellHisStory
Thank you. To be known truly is a desire we all have. May we be faithful to guard the friendships we have been given.
Reblogged this on Inspirational and Encouraging Blogs.
Thank you for sharing my post! Blessings!
3 great forms of wisdom here! I’m probably the worst at being “wise in contact.” Sometimes I can let lots of time lapse before connecting again with certain friends. Nonetheless, I have some amazing friends who help me out with this! 🙂 Thanks for making me more mindful to do better.
Lisa, we can always use a little help from our friends 🙂
I am so grateful for my earthly friends and even more so for my Three Best Friends! 😉 Great post. Visiting from TWW.
Ahh, yes. A friend that sticks closer than a brother 🙂 Blessings!
I just started reading “Nobody’s Cuter Than You” yesterday and AM LOVING IT. Friendship is a favorite topic of mine, so I’m laughing and crying and reminiscing and saying, “Me too!” over and over again – sometimes on the same page! Thanks for your faithfulness to link up at #ThreeWordWednesday, friend!
Kristin, I am loving the book as well. Love that it makes me laugh & cry as I realize the blessing of friendship.