You asked, and we answered! Over the next few weeks we will be sharing some of the questions that were submitted during our 2022 Harvest Women’s Retreat, and the answers from some of the women in our church.
Friendships in general are intimidating 😊. You are choosing to share your life with someone else in hopes to be accepted, valued, and loved.
My advice to you when approaching a new friendship is just this…choose to.
Everything we do is a choice we make. We can stay isolated, alone, and on the outside looking in, or we can choose something different.
Every choice is a risk and every risk is just that…risky.
But I know this to be true: God has godly friends for you and for me and it’s worth the risk to seek out and initiate friendship with women who are godly. Not every friendship you initiate will “work out” but that’s ok. The ones that are supposed to, will.
I have a 3 invite rule. If I’ve initiated connection with someone 3 times and they aren’t able to make it work and haven’t initiated connection back, then I move on. It’s not personal…I don’t get my feelings hurt over it, I assume God is directing my steps and He has other people He wants me to connect with.
I think the main thing you need to remember about making friends is that it takes time and intention.
Here’s a few ideas when initiating friendships.
- Invite another mom to bring her kids over to let them play while the two of you visit.
- Meet at a park and let the kids play while you visit or pray for your families.
- Send random texts with funny memes or funny moments that you’ve had that day.
- Meet up for coffee or lunch.
- Invite a new friend to ride with you to Lubbock for a quick Sam’s pick-up.
- Ask someone to help you make a meal for a new mom or someone who’s just had surgery or is going through a hard time.
There are lots of ways to connect with new friends, just be brave and initiate.
Friendships have changed my life and I absolutely LOVE having friends.
Here are a few of my favorite verses on friendship.
- Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
- Probers 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
May I leave you with this…God has incredible friends for you! I believe in you and I’m cheering you on as you take the risks needed to initiate godly friendships.
We want to thank Julie Snellgrove for answering this question
Women's Ministry 