Friendship in spiritual formation

Christian friendship is an experience of support, accountability, acceptance, safety, love, and genuine care/concern. When these conditions are present, spiritual growth and transformation become possible.

I believe this kind of friendship requires an intentional investment of valuable time and energy to cultivate and maintain special friendships. I'm sure some of you have seen the movie "Beaches" A love story ... the kind of love that perseveres despite terrible odds, a love that speaks the truth even when it hurts!

Now, in our society we don't call that love. we call it friendship. Very often we assume friendship to be inferior to romantic love...shallower, less meaningful. yet friendship by Gods design is suppose to go deeper than romance, for it's not based on beauty, passion, or physical intimacy...but on the solid foundation of reality!

I believe friendships are undervalued in our society...people are content with acquaintances, come and go Bible studies, work friends(only at the office) warmly greeting people on Sunday morning, short term project partners etc... Now of course you can't be friends with everyone... but how many friends do you have...you know like the ones that you can call at 4 am, or that you pray intimately with, hold you accountable, or tell them a personal struggle you are battling with? How many friends are you this for...??

Jesus is the ultimate friend! The one John 15:13 speaks of..."greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" It is because of that friendship, I am blessed with AMAZING friendships in my life!

I have a joy filled heart for the friends I have in California, Abilene, all over the United States, and now here in the area I live! The Bible study I am in now...just ended our 9 week journey on "Becoming a Woman of Influence" by Carol Kent. There were days that when the study itself didn't kick my be-hiney... my two friends Paige and Stephanie would!

It has been a seemingly long journey finding true friendship here since leaving California, then Abilene...don't get me wrong..I have several friends here...but, Paige and Stephanie have blessed me with a valuable spiritual growth and transformation! It has been so amazing to see all of us accomplish several little feats in our lives, as well as praise the Lord together!

Thank you Paige and Stephanie for sticking with our study, even when it quickly dwindled down to just us three! I have been blessed by an experience of support, accountability, acceptance, safety, love, and genuine care/concern for me and my lifes' journey! I pray I have been the same for you guys! I am proud of who we are and whose we belong to!

What an incredible gift...to walk, run, crawl, laugh, cry, desperately seek Gods will, shout for joy, yell at injustice, pray, sit in silence, meditate on Gods Word, laugh some more, delight in our change, call on the Holy Spirit, sometimes stubbornly accept constructive criticism, praise the Lord and so so so much more together with you two!

Thank you for intentionally investing valuable time and energy in helping me be cultivated into the woman God has designed me to be! I love you Paige and Stephanie! I dedicate "More Than You'll Ever Know" by Watermark to you guys!