God never gives us more than we can handle, right? Over the past couple weeks He has been giving me bits and pieces and I know He isn’t done. He has really been speaking to my heart about friendship. I have been praying for some close friends and a mentor. It began with an evening at the neighbors. We were drinking and chatting on the patio. The next day I began to wonder if this was part of an answer to my prayers. I really like them! Perhaps this is an unexpected friendship because although we are neighbors, we are at completely different places in life (they are in their 50’s with no kids). A couple days later Kevin and I were talking about our experiences with friends. Clarity began to happen. I realized I had never really had a good example in my folks in how to create friendships (they didn’t really have many long lasting friends). Growing up I never really had those long lasting friendships. I never really hung out at anyone’s house on a consistent or even often basis. When I went from elementary to private middle school, I wasn’t able to continue cultivating those friendships. In private school I wasn’t into Keds or long conversations on the phone so I was somewhat of a social outcast and didn’t have many friends. Seriously, what does “we want to be friends in a different way” really mean?? I recieved a note from a group of girls that said that. When I hit high school I had a couple people who I was with quite a bit. Over the years those faded except for one. Since high school I have made friends here and there but for some reason we just loose contact.

In my conversation with Kevin I began to realize I don’t know how to be a good friend. We started talking about those around us who seem to have many relationships and what they did to gain those. Some things I can accept, while some just aren’t me. I want friends, not just a bunch of acquaintances.

This prompted me to pick up “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. It was a book on my bookshelf calling out my name. Seriously, I almost heard it speak to me:) I have just begun reading it and already God is changing my heart.

Last night we had a worship and prayer time at church. It was to cover this transition period and connect since we won’t have church for 3 weeks. I had one of those moments where God plants a thought out of the blue and it makes me giggle. I realized this new journey of friendship is in preperation for our “new” church. It will be a new season of deep relationships that I haven’t ever really had.

I think I am at the beginning of this new adventure of friendships. I know I have a long way to go and probably many hurdles to leap over. I also know God is only going to give me little pieces at a time so I get it and don’t get to overwhelmed.