I don't think I could have gotten through this last chapter without friendship, people who laugh, cry, encourage and distract me from what has become a stressful season.
I know people say that moving house is one of the most stressful life events of the western world, but I don't think you realise the fullness of it until you are in it. I was hoping by now I could be celebrating my new home on here, sadly that is still a little further away.
My friends have been the ones who have kept me going, with their prayers and encouragements. I am so thankful for them, for those who are part of my family, part of my job, and those who have somehow found their way into my life over the years. Thank you friends.
Celebrating Cheese & Friendship!
I see myself as a lover of relationship, networking, and seeing people thrive. Stir into that an Enneagram 2 and ENFJ personality and you get someone who wants to understand their friends and be the best sidekick going!
Yet, I know throughout the years, I have struggled with friendship. From a young age people would say I made friends easily, I always had a holiday friend when camping in the summer! Still my doubt and confidence always led me to believe there was some way I just didn't quite fit, that I was number 2 or 3 and not number 1. I struggled to understand the concept of best friend, and I wasn't sure if I had one, or if they would stay. Normal teenage struggles, I realise this now, but having no concept of this at the time, I was led by these feelings long into my adulthood. This created a person who was not full, because she constantly emptied herself out to be what she thought people needed or wanted. Failing that she pushed away (and I am so thankful for the friends that pushed right back!). This person wasn't full because she couldn't see how much friendship she actually had, how much people liked her becasue she wasn't sure she liked herself
This person is growing!
We often put structures around trees and shrubs that are growing. God has put friendships around me, put me in community, when I can't pray, when I loose hope, when I need support, there they are. I know too that I somehow am also a part of their stucture too.
40x40 Friendship
I knew that my Forty by Forty list had to include my friends but also something around the idea of celebrating the friends made over the last 40 years. As I outlined in my post about Friends I came up with the concept of a Friendship Book! Now I have the book printed and have begun to fill it in! I am really enjoying spending time thinking about my friends and using the booklet to help me pray too.
I actually misunderstood the ordering process, so have two extra booklets! If you would be interested in one, let me know and for the price of a coffee, I can send you one in the post!
How can you encourage your friends this week?
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