Friendships + Community [The Waiting]🦋
You know when you are decluttering and you stumble upon something you used to love, but it doesn’t fit or serve you purpose anymore? Even though it can be hard to let it go, you are aware it is time. Perhaps it was a clothing item from when you were younger and you have grown out of it. Because you have grown, you need something that fits this version of you. Similarly, this concept can apply to the people in our lives. friendships
As we are growing and changing through life, sometimes we lose touch with people we once cherished it with. The beautiful part is, it does not always mean either of us are bad people or did something wrong. It simply means we are human and we figure out our purpose at different stages. I often listen to Sarah Jakes Roberts preach and she said,
“There is such a thing as good-bye. If you’re slowing my momentum and I’m slowing down yours, we have to part ways. We are better off without each other.”
Sarah Jakes Roberts
Like Sarah said, you may not be contributing to each others growth and the best thing to do is part ways. Although, there are other circumstances like moving away for college or becoming a parent. It is in those transition periods of life, where sometimes we look around without a familiar face in view.
Are you the friend you’re looking for?
We all have the desire to be loved and feel like we belong to something. God designed us for connection, so it’s not wrong to long for that. I will say, there may be some things He wants you to learn (or unlearn) before establishing new friendships.
I went through a season where I didn’t have close friendships and God knew that was something I desired. It was hard in the moment when that prayer was not being answered, but looking back I am glad God did not listen to my timeline.
During that season of my life, Jesus became my closest friend. There were many times in the past where I would put others above my relationship with Christ. But during this time in his presence, as I would share the little and big things with him, He modeled what to look for in friends. Not only did I learn what characteristics to look for in a friend, I learned about the type of friend I needed to become.
The Waiting
I love the saying, “Patience is bitter, but the reward is sweet.” Practicing patience does not always feel good, but you know it is good for you. I want to encourage you if you are in a season right now without friends or the kind of friendships you know God wants for you, keep going. Keep praying and believing that when the time is right He will surround you with the right people. Sometimes it happens in ways you never would have predicted. The friends and community that God blessed me with was worth the wait.
I encourage you to make the most of this season. Continue to have faith and live it out. Sometimes I think we expect God to drop people off at our doorstep (by we I mean me-😂). When we could get involved in things that align with God’s will and meet people! Get plugged in at church-serving and finding groups to join, that’s a good place to start. I was scared to at first, but it also helps you grow to put yourself out there!
Final Encouragement
You are not alone in feeling like you don’t have friends or community yet and I’m sorry if doubt has crept into your mind making this seem like a hopeless pursuit. Stay intentional in your prayer time, the enemy loves to get us distracted focusing on what we do not have aiding to the frustration, doubt, and confusion.
Just remember, Jesus is the friend your soul is longing for.💛
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