Friendships grow in truth and vulnerability

Been noticing as I am surfing the blog world that many people are searching for meaningful friendships. People, women, even pastors wives struggling to just have a friend to talk to ??? That should not be so!! But it is...

I was reading the comments over at Striving for 31 . The post is a question asked by the author for another person which happens to be a pastors wife.

Excerpt: What I am struggling with right now is a lack of close friendships.......I have "friends" in our church, but you and I both know that can be tricky water to navigate. I am part of a home school group here, so I do have that outlet, but as far as a deep, close friendship with another woman here, I just don't have it..... as a ministry family, you are sorta in no man's land.....Anyway, the basic question is how as a ministry wife do you find your "place?" How do you forge those close friendships outside of your church without missing potential close friendships inside the church. Are close friendships in the church even a good idea?


Just reading this breaks my heart.

 I have Felt that way...that I didn't have a Real Friend that I couldn't Be Who I Was...

When I look at this situation I cant help but think PEOPLE have toooooooooooooooo HIGH expectations on their Pastor and his Wife if they feel like they can't be CLOSE FRIENDS with the people in their congregations. ISN'T that the point!!?? To know and be known by each other...to love one another.... Help and Grow and Learn from one another. Do we put them UP UP UP on a pedestal soooooo HIGH that we don't allow them to be who they are. Weaknesses and All.....Warts and ALL....They are Christ's too. Reaching toward the Goal like the rest of us.

I call to us all............BE REAL no matter where you are!! No matter who you are talking too!!! Just be real. Yes, it is scary...BUT SO IS LIVING A LIE!!

Real Friendship are grown in TRUTH and VULNERABILITY!!

F and L'er
Starla

The Truth IS Simple

Philippians 1:21
To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thoughts on today's verse

The truth is often as simple as it is sweet -- if Jesus is our life, then our life has no end.

Have a great day!

Tina Smith

Motto Monday: "Whatever You Give To Life, Life Will Give Back To You"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
* If you plant faith in God, you will reap a harvest
　
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later..

Have a great day! = )

Tina Smith

Quote

"Friendship consists of a willing ear, an understanding heart and a helping hand."

Frank Tyger

Have a great day!

Tina Smith

Monday Motto - Be of One Mind

Mark 10:8 - and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.


Monday Motto: Be of ONE MIND
My Pastor had asked us to take a spiritual gifts test that he provided for us. Over the past few weeks at my house I have been gathering information about the different types of gifts. My daughter (who is almost 12) saw the word celibacy on the spiritual gifts paper that she was taking and asked " What does the word celibacy mean?"

At first I said ...It means to not have sexual relations...and of course being almost 12 she looked at me like YUCK, MOM!!! After a few more minutes I said -  "It doesn’t just mean that, It also means to be separated unto God." (do we use the word unto anymore...lol) She liked that definition better of course. :0)

Well  lets look at this -separated unto God - thing more..

It says in 1 Cor 7: 32-34 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

It says if you are married - YOUR INTERESTS ARE DIVIDED!! ...because you will be concerned about things surrounding your husband/wife. When I thought about this I was immediately swept up into my imagination and seeing how when you are JUST you and your following after the Lord things are pretty simple. BUT when you are married --  you are no longer two but one -- sounds like two minds in one body to me.. Basically if you and your husband are not on " the same page" so to speak then you are double minded couple.

Be of ONE mind the Lord says....2 Cor 13:11 be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Being of one mind creates an atmosphere of living in peace. Friendship with your spouse is important ...



Do you live in peace in your home with your spouse??? Is your spouse your FRIEND!

I don’t always live in peace with mine ...not like we would if we were of ONE MIND. We have different likes and dislikes, ideas, opinions about how to do things, and personalities. Sometimes being on the same page seems near to impossible. The foundation is Christ. God made us with all these differences knowing He would ask us to dwell together in peace and be of one mind. He sent Christ to bridge the gap.

If each of us focuses on Christ and what He has asked of us ..we will walk in love with each other..and not live selfishly expecting others to do all things our way.

F & L'er
Starla