Sunday Seven

 

I've been doing a great deal of thinking deeply about my friendships. I have been thinking of myself as a friend too. I ran into a great book the subject and I wanted to share 7 thoughts with you today. The book is How to be a Best Friend Forever: Making and Keeping Lifetime Relationships by John Townsend.

1 • Most of us aren’t experiencing the highest level of good that is available from their friendships. - I can't agree more. The way God designed friendships and the way we utilize it are two different things. 

2• Are there some specific areas of life in which my best friends and I could do better for each other? - I asked a friend this question before I read the book. It is worth answering. Friendship is about giving and receiving good. 

3• They are the three key components that are universal in friendships, from neighbors to church relationships to work connections. Knowing, liking, and spending time with. - Love is spelled T-I-M-E. You can't have a decent friendship if you won't spend time with your friend. I don't care how busy you are. 

4•  A best friend is someone who ideally has become a high priority-relationship for you, and one you will invest in personally. - I can honestly pinpoint who invests personally in me and vice-versa. I can also say that some people's idea of investment is different than mine. I came to accept both things. 

5• Your spouse can’t meet every relational need you have, nor can you meet his - this is something you learn with time and maturity. Friendships are great for marriages. 

6• Life is too short to go through it with no vulnerability, which is the practice of being transparent about our inner selves, needs, mistakes and emotions. We all need to unpack with someone. Best friends are the best place for that need. - I believe that the best friendships allow room for mutual vulnerability. 

7• Our world has diluted the meaning of friendship, but the reality is, there's nothing like the sustaining strength of true-blue, forever friends. - Just because the world dilutes it, it doesn't mean I have to drink it. I decided to invest in the real thing. 

Lastly, a great life includes great friendships. Don't settle for shallow friendships only friends. God has a lot of goodness built into His type of friendships.