She’s a woman who’s blessed.
She’s one who can look back and see those who’ve impacted her life.
She looks to her right and to her left, and she’s grateful for those who are journeying beside her.
She’s confident the future will be okay. They’ll be with her.
She’s a woman like me. One who is thankful for her friends.
And knows God has blessed her because of them.
Those past friends who helped make me who I am today, and those present, who I get to do life with. Some have been both, and let me tell you I love them all so.
They chose to be that friend. That friend one who loved me through the mounds of junk. The one who never gave up on me. Who stood by me in both the mountain top moments and laid-low valleys. Who encouraged me along the way. Who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
May I be that friend today, too. May we all be.
–Instead of getting jealous of someone’s new house, let’s be that friend who shows up with a pan of brownies and helps decorate the massive amount of open wall space.
–Instead of allowing envy to sneak in when a friend lands your dream job, let’s be that friend who sends flowers to her on her first day.
–When a friend’s relative has passed away, let’s be that friend who stays in support through the entire visitation or funeral, even when it’s inconvenient.
–When you find a friend just isn’t herself, be that friend who extends grace… and a cup of coffee.
–When time is short, yet your friend wants to talk, be that friend who listens intently anyway.
–When your feelings were hurt, yet no apology was offered, be that friend who forgives… and forgets.
–When your friend needs a break from motherhood, be that friend who doesn’t just encourage, but who steps in as a “relief pitcher,” to give her the afternoon off.
–When a friend’s week has been stressful and overwhelming, be that friend who shoots her a text saying, “I believe in you. You’re incredible.”
–When she doubts herself as a mom, a wife, a woman, be that friend who comes alongside of her with words of encouragement and your hand in hers.
The opportunities are endless, aren’t they?
What are some ways you can be that friend? I’d love to read your ideas below.
Then let’s go out there, and be that friend. Be that friend to those who need us to be.
God bless you!
Julie
This post is linked with two beautiful friends: Kelly at #RaRaLinkup and Meredith at Woman2Woman. You’ll be encouraged at both of their blog homes.
What a great reminder to be a friend! We should look to encourage! Sometimes it’s obvious…sometimes we need to look harder for ways.
~visiting from #w2w…enjoy your day!
Yes! I want to get better at encouraging. When my schedule gets full, I forget to encourage. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing. Blessings!
Love this, Julie. I think there are so many barriers to honest friendship these day (social media, time) and we women tend to get in our own way sometimes. But, it’s those friends who you know will be with you no matter what, won’t judge or condemn, and even if they don’t get why you do what you do, they’ll still rally beside you in love. That’s the kind of friend I want to be and it’s those friends in my life who are truly my sisters in Christ – it feels like He brought them just for me! Loved your words today, my friend. 🙂
Hi Tiffany! Thank you for your encouraging words here. It’s always a gift to have you here. I want to be that kind of friend who so many of my friends are to me! What a gift they are. Glad we can be friends through our blogs!! Have a great week!
Julie, what a beautiful post and list to encourage me to work on my friendships. I’m a good listener and that comes in handy sometimes and I also like to send encouraging cards in the mail. Thanks for inspiring words as always! Kim
Hi Kim! Two very important ways to encourage and be a friend! I bet you are a good listener. Wish we lived closer to have a person-to-person friendship! But for now, we’ll do what we can to walk alongside of each other over the internet. Bless you, friend!
Oh Julie, every bit of this post. Loved it so! That is the friend I want to be; the Kleenex bring-er, the joy donor, etc (in the words of Jennifer Dukes Lee) I will be the friend who stays at her friends fathers funeral. I will be the friend who brings coffee to her friend. I will be the friend who brings soup to a sick friend. Yes I want to be that friend. I just wrote about Friendship on Purpose at my place too last week.
I want to be that friend, too, Tara. Let’s do this together. 🙂 I’ll stop over and read your post too! Thanks for blessing me like you always do.
I LOVE this reminder, Julie! Too often I get all wrapped up in my own little world and I’m a rotten friend. Thank you for the reminder to be more intentional. I need write more encouraging notes to my friends. I can definitely bake brownies, too (of course, taking the pan of brownies intact might be a difficult challenge for me!)!
I’m with you, Anita. Brownies can be my downfall! I want to write more notes too. It’s good to be reminded every now and then to look outside myself. 🙂 Blessings on your week!
I love your concrete examples of situations where we can be THAT FRIEND, Julie. Oh Lord, make me a good friend. This is such an encouraging and convicting post. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves. Thanks for helping us look outward, Julie! I’ve missed your posts while I was out of town, friend! Glad to be here today!
Welcome back, Betsy. I can’t wait to read all about your trip! I get too wrapped up in myself too. Examples force me to look outward. I need them more than anyone. Bless you, friend! I’ll stop over soon!
Beautiful. I want to be an amazing friend. I want to love others with all I have. You encourage me Julie to new places. Thank you for this. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Thank you, Kelly for all you do to encourage me. You’re a gift. More than you know! Much love to you!