Friends for a Reason
Friends for a Lifetime
Friends for a season are those with whom you have a connection, something in common. Maybe you or your husbands work together, or you have kids close in age. Maybe you have the same passions or hobbies. Maybe you live in the same neighborhood. For whatever reason, you are in the same circle and you connect. These are precious friendships that come in a great variety.
Seasonal friendships don't always last beyond the season. If you lose that which brought you together, it is likely that you won't spend the same amount of energy and time investing in the friendship. This is a natural thing and is not unusual. You have shared some wonderful experiences and are likely to have made precious memories. Don't mourn this loss--there are more seasons ahead.
A friend for a reason may start out as a seasonal friend, but I've had friends for a reason that I was never that friendly with before the 'reason' occurred. 'Reasonal' friendships happen when one person simply needs another. Perhaps they have suffered a tragedy or are feeling lonely or confused. These are not often two-way relationships, but the reason may be on either side. I have been the friend with the need and I have also met the needs of others.
These friendships may be even briefer than those seasonal ones, but can last longer. It isn't through a lack of recognition or appreciation that people drift apart, but the reason is not there anymore. Unless there is more to hold you together, it is okay to allow that parting gracefully--and, often, gratefully.
Blessings come from both of these friendship types. I can't address the Friends for a Lifetime category since my life is not yet complete. But, I suspect that a few from both of the other categories will emerge in the end as lifetime friends.
Guaranteed to be my lifetime friends are my sisters. I remember when my youngest sister was upset that I considered our middle sister my friend, but not the youngest one. She didn't accept that being my sister was a lifetime relationship. I am now delighted to call both of my sisters, friends.
Additionally, there are a very few other women whose friendships I value as I do my sisters. These are unique and startlingly amazing individuals. My heart breaks with theirs in sorrow and soars with their joy. These friends have spanned a barrier and been joined with me, I can only assume, by God's touch. I do not worry about facing condemnation when I share honestly with them. I do expect reproach when it is warranted. I do not worry about them breaking my confidence. I would never break theirs. Together, I believe, we can influence the world around us--through our marriages, our children, our ministries.
Some of these women I speak to only once or twice a year. I know we will make up for lost time in heaven, but I miss their daily input and impact in my life. Others I seek out more often, but I am always happy when we find time to laugh and cry as we share together.
I am not the only person to have these types of friendships, I know. But since they are such a huge blessing to me, I just felt the need to acknowledge them. Thank you, my friends.
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As I wrote this my mind filled with pictures and I did laugh out loud and I did become somber as I recalled different memories. Know that I prayed for many of you today!!
