Friendship (s)....

Friends. 

Not a common word used in my vocabulary at the moment..

Why? Well, God has given me so many friends over the years. Some were friends for childhood. Some for teenage years. Then some as adulthood.

I still hold such a special place in my heart for my friend from childhood. We grew up so much together. We weren't afraid to be ourselves through those awkward times of growth. She was the first who i remember talking of God with. She and her family prayed at dinners together and listened to Christian music. She loved to sing. Amy Grant always! LOL My family at the time wasn't going to church so it was something new for me. Different schools. Different choices as we grew up and that was it. 

My friends over my teenage years were the group of youth in our church. Talk about a comfort zone for me! I loved being silly and crazy with them. I loved that there was no judgment for being me. I loved them like family. We were together some weeks 4 our of the 7 days of the week. Some weeks even more. When the girls would spend the night.

My adulthood friendships have been family. I have had some come into my life and go that quick. For me friendship as an adult, married, with kids, and my own schedule is hard! It's work. Work I'm not willing to do or sacrifice my own family for. I couldn't imagine picking a friend over my spouse or my kids. And those that were in and out that quick were in need of my friendship at the time. 

Friends come,

Friends go,

But a true friends is there 

to watch you grow. 

I can think of one friend that has been there the last 30 years. 

That friend loves me sacrificially. I love that friend in the equal amount.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

That friend accepts me unconditionally. 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17

This friend truly accepts me and forgives me. The same goes from me to that friend.

This friend understands boundaries.

"love is patient, love is kind, love isn't envious...."

1 Corinthians 13:4

This friend doesn't smother. This friend is joyous while I'm rejoicing. This friend truly looks out for me and desires the best for me. The same goes from me to this friend.

Some of the greatest friendships in the bible that comes to mind is Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, and Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus. 

You can see clearly the love that they all had for one another. Ruth loved Naomi so much she wanted to stick by Ruth's side forever. Jonathan saved David's life. David's love for Jonathan is shown through the tears of deep sorrow of knowing they would have to say goodbye. Then the sibling relationship together with Jesus was such sacrificial love and service. Jesus loved them the same. And they wept together. I know there are so many other friendship stories in the Bible. These are just a few off the top of my head. 

I have had one friend that has been there for me and has been the best for me. 

That friend is my sister!!  

My sister Knows all my faults. Yet she still loves me! I know that I can be ugly at times. I know that I can be selfish at times. I know that what comes out of my mouth is something that shouldn't have been said. Yet, she still loves me and is quick to forgive me!

My sister knows how to LOVE. She knows how to love the easy to love and the hard to love. She has taught me the heart always has room to love and be available. She can always see the other side of a story. So she can quickly get me off my high horse about something and bring me down to reality. That reality is love first. 

My sister knows the importance of family. She truly understands boundaries. She would never ask or expect me to put her before my kids. She loves my kids as her own. She loves my husband like a brother. She would be there for him just as she is for me. I love that she is my family and my friend. 

My sister knows it all. She keeps my secrets and she is available to listen to anything. Even if it doesn't pertain to her directly. She takes interest in my life. She is invested.

Us not just being friends but sisters as well is truly what I call unique. I know not another friendship that is sister related. I know that God has truly given us each other. He has blessed us tremendously! We have shared so much together. The birth of my children. The whole adoption process with her boys. We have shared tears of joy. Tears of being angry. She is such a fantastic person. I wish I was willing to share her with you. But...I'm not! :) 

She has been a great example of the true genuine friendship. 

If you have seen or experienced this type of friendship you have been blessed! This true genuine Christ like friendship is hard to come by. 

I give God the Glory for the relationship I have with my sister. She is such an amazing friend and sibling! 

I love you Nan!

Many Blessings To YOU!!