A month ago my heart was breaking as I was saying goodbye to friends as we were preparing to leave El Paso.
Community and friendships were a gift and a blessing from God in El Paso. I went into our church community determined to live open and embrace whoever God place in my life there. I challenged myself to be vulnerable.
It was so hard to say goodbye to those friends because I invested so much and was blessed so immensely.
When we arrived here in Kansas I was apprehensive about what this year will bring. And, honestly, I have been afraid to open myself up to friendship again.
Keith and I had a conversation and I actually told him I had no expectation of making friends or investing here.
My heart was still quite tender from saying those hard goodbyes in El Paso.
The Lord is showing me, though, that the blessing of friendship is worth the heartbreak of saying goodbye.
We’ve been here for a little over three weeks and I am back in the friendship game. I am investing in making friends with our neighbors and looking forward to the ways God is going to work in my life through them.
In fact, I just returned from a walk around post with a new friend, our next door neighbor.
The community I’m finding here is unique and open. We’re meeting new neighbors everyday! And anytime we walk outside, we’re prepared for a gathering of neighbors in our front yard.
I love that God is already showing me that this isn’t going to be a lonely season.
I love that He is not allowing me to give up on friendship and being vulnerable.
Here are a few things I’m learning about friendship…
Friendship takes work.
Friendships change and evolve over time…there is an ebb and flow to them.
Friendships don’t have to end because of distance.
Friendship is one of life’s greatest blessings.
It’s the end of the day and my mind is tired, but I wanted to get these thoughts down while I had a chance. This is a topic I want to revisit. It’s one that God is pressing deep into my heart. And it’s one that I want to do more justice than I am doing tonight.
What would you add to this list that you’ve learned about friendship?
Thank you, friends for coming here to visit!
Jennifer Scruggs says
Hello Friend!
I have been praying for you as I have read along about your move!
I would say that friendships open us up to hear from God Himself. Some of the most profound things God has spoken to me through His Word He has used a friend to convey or at least confirm that truth. Friendships challenge and encourage me– truly, iron does sharpen iron.
This summer has been a bit of a lonely season, and your post has really reminded me that I need to put myself out there more, I need to ask God where He wants me to stretch and invest so I can grow friendships.
I am glad to have you as a friend, Monica!
Continued prayers for this short season in Kansas. Love your guts!
Jenn