September
2006
Everyone needs good friends.
We’re all sinners in desperate need of a savior. We need the grace of God every single day. Nobody’s perfect. But everyone needs friends. Someone to talk to face-to-face, to laugh with, to cry with.
I am blessed beyond measure to count two best friends, the kind I could call at 3am if I needed to. These two gals have been with me through it all. They stood by me through a painful betrayal by someone I counted a friend (causing me to have some trust issues, which is why I am careful about what I post about myself and my family online), as well as through my parents’ divorce a few years ago after 36 years of marriage. They met through me and decided they are twins separated at birth. We’ve laughed together and cried together, volunteered at Women of Faith together, and consumed lots of coffee together.
I tend to have trust issues, as I mentioned before. I hold back and focus on the surface stuff. Easy stuff. Stuff that doesn’t take much sharing. However, a Bible study a couple summers ago on John Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat really changed my thinking about Trust. Walking on water means you have to get out of the boat, even in the storm. The ladies from my home church are much different from the ones in the previous church who betrayed me and my trust. These ladies, of all ages and walks of life, build each other up. One lady whom I now count as a good friend even shared how God provided for them through a devastating house fire and subsequent rebuilding and birth of their fourth child. It was so neat to hear her be vulnerable and share how much she depends on God. THAT is friendship. Trust. Love. Hugs and kleenex.
As I begin again to learn to trust new women in our new congregation in the Air Force, I am reminded of these lessons I’ve had to relearn my whole moving life.
Who would like to walk on the water with me? Hop on out of that boat and let’s Trust.
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Written By: Pattie
Posted under: Women's Voices . 
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It sounds like a great Bible Study with an awesome message. I always taught my kids that “waiting on the Lord” does not mean you stand still. Thanks!
I’m still learning this lesson of trusting God and letting myself be a little vunerable to others in order to pave the way to true friendship.
A great reminder…
I can totally identify. For years I had a hard time letting people in the “inner core.” I had many, many friends at arms length, but it was hard letting someone in deeper.
Yet, as I’ve done this, THOSE are the people who help me most. They pray and speak to my heart in ways no one else can. I trust them, and I know that they can hurt me if they choose, but a least I’ve allowed God to open my up heart and my life.
We definately need each other. I talked some about this on my blog yesterday. There’s something about being part of a fellowship that gives you strength and hope.
I really love this blog!
Great post, and thanks for the book recommend. I’ve always been one to have one or two really best buds, and was hurt badly by one of them. Thankfully, we’re great friends again (after years of having lost touch).