Sunday, May 6, 2007

DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS

"A Friend Loves At All Times"
Proverbs 17:17
I've been thinking a lot lately about the friendships that are being developed
in this BLOGSPHERE we participate in.
As so often happens a daily reading from
The Word For You Today spoke directly to this issue.
"Dr. John Maxwell writes: "If you want deep, lasting friendship,
you cannot always be the strong one.
And that can be frightening:
especially if you've had someone hurt or manipulate you.
But you must let a friend see you in your weakness.
Some of us have never done this, and we wonder why we're lonely.
We're going to have to get vulnerable to have a true friend."
"Friends serve each other.
Whens the last time you performed an act of servant-hood for a friend to whom you're devoted?
If you can't remember, you're probably living with a core of loneliness.
A friend is someone you commit to not because of what they can do for you,
but just because they're your friend.
And friends listen, even though they're busy.
Listening is an act of love.
It says 'I'm going to put my own agenda on hold and devote myself to knowing and caring for you.'
Friends are not generally looking for someone who can talk very impressively or cleverly or with great wit.
Mostly what they're looking for is a world-class listener.
Furthermore, when something goes right friends celebrate.
Do you do that?
Whens the last time one of your friends had God bless them --
and you threw a party?
"If you're not in this kind of friendship right now, you can't MAKE it happen,
but you can OPEN yourself up to it. You can start pursuing it.
You can ask God to guide you. You can take little relational risks.
And if you already have friends like this, prize them, protect them, enrich them in every way, and take that friendship as deep as you can."
I am very thankful for the wonderful friendships I've had in my life
&
I am thankful for the new friendships I am making here in this
Blogsphere.
I do open myself up to each and every one of you.

33 comments:

Trella said...

What a great post, and very true, you need to be a friend to have friends.
Have a great Sunday,
Trella

Carole Burant said...

I loved this post, Susan...how lonely life would be without friends! Like you, I have been blessed with having true friends in my life and I also cherish the friendships I've made through blogging!! xox

Portrait of Peter said...

One has to agree entirely with such words of wisdom.

And therefore how appropriate on this our Lord's Day.

Thank you.

marallyn ben moshe said...

where would we be without our friends??? i don't want to even think about it...lovely post

jennifer said...

Wonderful post! I agree so much!

Linds said...

Wise words, Susan. Lowerign the defences and allowing ourselves to be seen as vulnerable is so hard at times, yet so necessary.

Susie said...

Hi Susan,
I loved the message in this post. I need to remember that I can't always be the strong one. That is the role I've taken on in our family the last several years.
Fortunately, I do have friends that I can let see me cry or rant a bit!
(and I do the same for them)
I'm also very grateful for blogging friendships that are just as real...
Great post today!!
:)

#1 CUBS FAN said...

Wonderful post, I loved it!

Hey and also I have tagged you with a quiz at allthewaymk.blogspot.com

Momma Roar said...

Lots of wisdom in that post!!
Thanks for sharing that with us. I too am receiving so much from my blogging friendships!!

Betty said...

Susan, Friends are one of the sweetest blessings our gracious Lord gives us. How blessed we are....I'd rather have friends than great riches......they are great riches...I, too, have made so many new friends through blogging....

Thank you for coming by to visit with me. I enjoy friends dropping by....

Susan said...

Susan,

That is such a lovely thought. I value my friendships and pray daily that God will give me those that are deep and lasting. I also pray that I can be transparent with my closest friends and that they will love me where I am and for who I am.

Thank you for sharing your heart in such powerful ways via your blog. I, for one, am glad that our paths crossed!

:-) Hugs to you!

Susan

Janice said...

What beautiful thoughts on friendship....really touched my heart today.

~~Mikki Jo said...

What a beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I am very thankful for the friends that I am making thru my blog. They have become a very important part of my life. Blessings and hugs to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for visiting!! I am in Albuquerque but I do have a brother in Tulsa!! (I love Oklahoma) I'm glad you left a comment. I've been a long-time admirer of your blog and everything you write. This really was a lovely post!!

TO BECOME said...

Great and true post. Friends are very special blessings. I am so thankful for all those I have made while blogging. connie from Texas

Unknown said...

Oh I loved this devotional. I know when I meet new people and try to always be strong, a true bond never seems to form. So what John said rings so true for me!

Speaking of friends in the bloggity world: You have become one! Thanks so much for the prayers you are sending up for my sis!

michelle said...

Precious post! I love the listening and celebrating ones. So hard for us to do either.

We just had some friends find out that someone is going to build them a house. They were shocked at "their friends" response...people were rude, uncaring, shrugged it off...etc.

In June (move in date for them) we will party with them in their new home!

Jennifer in MS said...

What a wonderful post Susan! I really enjoyed reading it! I loved the part about throwing a friend a party when God blesses them! That's a sign of a true friend!

God bless you today!

Susie said...

This is such a great post! I am so thankful too for all of my dear friends, in real life and in the blogosphere(not that it's not real too). Thank you for being one of my newest friends.

groovyoldlady said...

I'm so glad I found you! (or did you find me? I can't remember!)

You are a sweet and encouraging friend. I look forward to your posts and comments!

Lori said...

What a neat post. You are filled with words of wisdom.

I agree friends are such a blessing.

Thanks for your blogging friendship.

Barbara said...

This is s great post and so absolutely true. I have always found that the minute I make myself vulnerable then I am far more accepted than when trying to be the efficient me or whatever. In church home groups I have found the minute you share your heart, particularly your hurting heart, then it gives permission for others to do the same. People want reality not perfection.So thank you for such a wise post.I'm so glad you visit me regularly.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Such a great post, thanks for sharing with us!

AdoptedAsHisOwn said...

great words of wisdom!

Anonymous said...

You have been the true example of a real and steadfast friend to me. Thank you for all the love and support you have given so freely. I only hope I can be a true friend to you in return.

Love ya my friend!

Merisi said...

This is such a wonderful post, thank you for commenting on my blog and showing me the way over her to read this!
One of the greatest blessings of my life are my friends from all over the globe. Your post makes me appreciate that blessing even more. Thank you.
I'll have more pictures from the Danube over the next days, btw. :-)
Greetings from Vienna,
Merisi

Kelli said...

What a sweet post! I also am thankful for my blogging freinds!!
Kelli

Karen said...

I've said it before, and I still think it is true. Blogging friendships are today's answer to porch sitting as neighbors from long ago. I, for one, have enjoyed getting to know each one of my new friends here. My in-person friendships are very special to me also.
I enjoyed this post very much, Susan.
Thanks and blessings,
Karen

Maalie said...

You can't seriously believe all that propaganda about an almighty everlasting heavenly father, can you? I mean the one who is supposed to be up there looking after us all? The one who answers prayers so arbitrarily? The same one who seems to be so prejudiced unto whom he bestows his favours? The same one whose mercy bestows HIV on thousands of hapless and innocent children each year in Africa? Come on, get real, you are a slave to a superstition, are you not?

Ruth said...

Thank you for sharing that. It is so true, and I couldn't agree more.
I started to blog, mainly for me, and hoping a few people I knew would be interested. Now I've met a whole new world of wonderful people. What a blessing!!

Jeanette said...

Wow a great post, I starting Blogging after I lost My Alan and I was still recovering from my Illness. ( My 1st post)I feel I have made many blogging friends out there in blog land and cherish each and everyone of them.
Happy Friendship

... said...

i love what is written here. it's a wonderful encouragement to all women. we all know how important friendship is. this reminds us what true friendship should look like. and that we don't always have to be strong and witty. true friends accept us for who we are.

thanks for sharing.

... said...

i just found this quote and thought it was appropriate here...

"Friendship: A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul" Ambrose Bierce