After much heartbreak and severe friendship abandonment issues, I am in a place of introspection surrounding my definition of the word friend.
While I do believe friends are those we share our most intimate thoughts and laughter with… and we MAYBE are blessed to receive one or two of those in our lifetime (not including our spouse if we are blessed to have that), something is to be said about those moments in the ordinary where a laugh is shared; something as simple as, “you’ve got that too?”
Why does the word friend have to hold such a deep stigma? It almost makes the role too heavy, too intense to grasp. Could we not maybe just take a lesson from these girls about whom you so eloquently shared your heart? (And other kids, if we really look at how kids make friends and immediately connect over the smallest things like a pretty flower) and just breathe a little bit?
NOTICE people.
SMILE first.
ENGAGE.
Be a “snapshot friend”.
You’ve changed someone’s life for the better. It’s that easy.
Thanks for this poignant reflection, Lisa. A great reminder and challenge.
Sarah, I appreciate your thoughts! Especially your phrase, "snapshot friend." What a beautiful way to describe those small moments of kindness that can mean so much. Thank you for adding this.
"So the next time you catch yourself wishing away some weakness, some wound, some grief, think of a darling nine-year-old shopkeeper. She wasn’t looking for someone without struggles. She was looking for someone who understood hers. Someone she could look at with delight and say,
“Just like me.”"
I get to see bridges built each time I lead another Mending The Soul group.
Thank you for the exhortation to not wish away my weakness, wound or grief", as then I also get to live out 2 Cor. 1:4, comforting others with the comfort He poured out on me.
Oh, I love this so much. 💗 And I immediately thought of your Mending the Soul groups. What a beautiful way the Lord has used your own story to bring comfort and hope to so many others. Sending you a hug, friend!
Please never stop writing. 🥲
Thank you friend 🥰. So grateful for you.
After much heartbreak and severe friendship abandonment issues, I am in a place of introspection surrounding my definition of the word friend.
While I do believe friends are those we share our most intimate thoughts and laughter with… and we MAYBE are blessed to receive one or two of those in our lifetime (not including our spouse if we are blessed to have that), something is to be said about those moments in the ordinary where a laugh is shared; something as simple as, “you’ve got that too?”
Why does the word friend have to hold such a deep stigma? It almost makes the role too heavy, too intense to grasp. Could we not maybe just take a lesson from these girls about whom you so eloquently shared your heart? (And other kids, if we really look at how kids make friends and immediately connect over the smallest things like a pretty flower) and just breathe a little bit?
NOTICE people.
SMILE first.
ENGAGE.
Be a “snapshot friend”.
You’ve changed someone’s life for the better. It’s that easy.
Thanks for this poignant reflection, Lisa. A great reminder and challenge.
Sarah, I appreciate your thoughts! Especially your phrase, "snapshot friend." What a beautiful way to describe those small moments of kindness that can mean so much. Thank you for adding this.
I am contemplating writing about this idea further. Finding some biblical backing to support my idea of a “snapshot friend”. 🥰
Oh, I hope you do! I think you’re really on something.
Wow. Thank you for sharing this story! I always look forward to your posts.
How encouraging! Thank you. 😊
Loved this! It brought tears to my eyes.
Same. It was the sweetest thing.
Such a beautiful story, Lisa! Isn't God the best storyteller??
He truly is. It was like a moment captured from a Hallmark film, only better.
I especially loved
"So the next time you catch yourself wishing away some weakness, some wound, some grief, think of a darling nine-year-old shopkeeper. She wasn’t looking for someone without struggles. She was looking for someone who understood hers. Someone she could look at with delight and say,
“Just like me.”"
I get to see bridges built each time I lead another Mending The Soul group.
Thank you for the exhortation to not wish away my weakness, wound or grief", as then I also get to live out 2 Cor. 1:4, comforting others with the comfort He poured out on me.
Oh, I love this so much. 💗 And I immediately thought of your Mending the Soul groups. What a beautiful way the Lord has used your own story to bring comfort and hope to so many others. Sending you a hug, friend!