When I was in my younger years I often wondered if I would have Best Friends later on in life. Guess what? I do. I have incredible friends in a range of friendships from bare acquaintances to BFF’s.
Have you ever met someone and immediately said to them you’re going to be my best friend. Of course not! Being a friend is a deliberate process. It’s about spending time together. Getting to know one another. Sharing ups and downs and in-betweens. Supporting them, praying for them, sharing with them, accepting them… That’s what grows strong friendships.
It’s nice to have friends that share interests and hobbies. However, if we surround ourselves with exact copies of ourselves it gets really boring. One of my BFF’s shares few commonalities with me, except a desire to grow closer to our Jesus.
In building strong, lasting friendships there are a few things that really don’t matter. Age is one of them. Yes, people of our own age share similar likes and experiences but those of other age groups have much to teach us. Friendships cross many boundaries. Things like status, education, marriage, distance, can be overcome when two people say let’s be friends.
There’s a beautiful contemporary Christian song that points to the fact that God gives us our friends. God Gave Me You by Dave Barnes really says it all. Check out these lyrics:
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you.
What does God say about friendship? Check these verses out:
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:5-6
There’s a Kroger commercial that ends with a woman saying, “My momma always said if you want to have a friend be one.” Nothing more needs to be said, does it?
A Satisfied Spirit 
A very good Message Marie, my closest Friends were once Strangers before they walked into my Heart … We do for others what we would like for ourselves and we do it first.
Blessings – Anne.
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That is so true! I love the words ‘walked into my Heart’. That’s exactly what real friends do. And they come to stay! Blessings to you sweet friend across the miles. Marie
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This is totally awesome, Marie! Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m passing it on, as well.
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Awesome! Use it any way it will help others. Blessings to you and yours! Marie
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Marie this is nice my friend is in a wheelchair right now but hopefully in a few weeks she will be having an operation on her knees and then be able to walk again. Yesterday Louis my husband after church he took us for lunch then to the mall. Oh we had such a fun day because we got out of our houses and had fun just window shopping even Lou had fun being with 2 women. We can’t wait until she can walk because both Beth and I can’t drive so then we can take the bus to the mall. Please say a prayer for her so her operation goes well. Thank you Marie
Linda Arceri https://about.me/linda.arceri
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It is always so much fun to spend ‘girl time’. I always enjoy the time I spend with my friends.
Heavenly Father, heal Linda’s friend. Thank You for the time they got to spend together. Continue growing their friendship.
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