“The woman that I see knows and values God-breathed friendship. She fights to protect those she loves.”
Another kind of friend I think every woman needs in her life are the friends you reach out to. These are the friends that are alongside you on the journey, at the same place you are in life. These are the girls who you call when you want to have fun, you need someone to laugh with, or cry with. These are the people who see you blow it and still love you anyway. You know they will always be a safe place to just be yourself. In short — these are peer level friendships.
One of the battles we must fight for friendships like these is the battle of navigating life’s seasons. Friendships that work easily in one season of life may not be so easy in another season. I was one of the first among my circle of friends to have a baby. Wow! You talk about isolation setting in. While everyone else was out shopping or deciding at the last minute to meet up for dinner at 9:00 PM, I was at home changing diapers. Getting together for coffee with someone was an olympic event. Most of the time the meeting itself was shorter than the time it took me to pack the diaper bag!
It was very tempting during this time to give up on these friendships and just let them fade. I am so blessed that my friends took the time to reach out in that season and try to be a little bit more at home in my world of baby bottles and dirty diapers. Now, of course, I am through the baby season, but other amazing girls in my circle of friends are just getting started on that part of life’s journey. It will take a little bit of extra effort to carve out time for friendship in this new season, but experience tells me that the rewards gained will be well worth it.
3 Comments
I love the idea of fighting for our friendships by making room in our lives. As a working woman, mother and wife it is hard to carve out the time to nurture my friendships. I thank God for low maintenance friends! God has given us the gift of friendship and I see my friends as an extension of Him on the Earth. Think of the parallels with God and our friends - we can be real without fear of judgment and be loved unconditionally. We can cry together, laugh together and share anything on our hearts. Enjoy the friendships God has given you as an extension of His love toward us. Give your girlfriends an “XXOO” shout out today and let them know they are treasured!
xxoo Nicole
love your twitter updates on the side! nice cyber genius. Your teachings are so valuable to me. xoxo Rachel
Pastor Kerri,
What a great way of “reaching back” to those of us just starting out as mothers in the MOPS group this past Thursday. Your words blessed me sooo much! I have even incorporated some of the things you discussed and have seen a difference in my life, my daughter’s life and my husband’s life. I can see how the little things we do can impact the next generation.
I love it to see the genuine hearts of you and Pastor Stoval. What an honor to be part of a church where the the wife of the pastor (who can relate to us women/mothers) makes just as much of an impact!
Thank you so much for your time at MOPS, I would love to hear you elaborate on the last 2 points.
Misti Sandoval (wife to Eddie, mother of Alysia, daughter of the Most High King)