thoughts on friendship {lindsay}

Meet my friend Lindsay (she is in the yellow sweatshirt). I met Lindsay at church almost four years ago. We had an instant bond because she and her husband were Kansas State grads...just like me and Joel. You know it is going to be a good friendship when a love for the Wildcats is involved! Lindsay and I don't get to hang out a lot, but we have had some good times going to craft weekends, sewing pillowcases, and running races together. Oh, and Lindsay was the one who e-mailed me to say that she would be my "no pop" accountability partner. She is really sweet like that.

Two things that come to mind when I think of Lindsay are joy and honesty. This girl knows how to have fun...wherever she is, whatever she is doing. She brings joy to a room and usually lots of laughter too. You never have to wonder what Lindsay is thinking. She is honest through and through and I love that about her. I feel very blessed to have a fun friend like Lindsay in my life. Here are Lindsay's thoughts on friendship...

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In my processing of the book, Friendship for Grown-ups, I did what I always do when I am spurred on to thinking about things, I sat down with my friends and we talked. Then, I Googled it.

I found this quote from The Four Loves, by C.S. Lewis. “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

I love it. I like how he acknowledges that we can make it through life without friendship, but that the life would be a pretty sad one. The value comes from living life with a friend.

Lisa Whelchel closed out her book with the idea that God is with us. Not just near us. Not just around. But seriously with us, in us. “Jesus didn’t stay in his own heavenly world. He stepped into ours to be fully present, all there 100 percent with us.”

I love that the God who created us, knows us well enough to know we would need a visual. He knew we would ask, “What do you mean with us?” Well, it turns out He sent Christ to be with us. And thankfully, Christ is actually here, in my heart, every day, and He desires more than anything to walk this life with me - to be my true friend.

“…and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

So if friendship adds value to life and if Christ’s picture of friendship is being with us…then I need to ask myself, how am I adding value to my friends’ lives and how am I being with them?

Luckily, I have wonderful friends, who go out of their way to make me feel like they are with me and adding value to my life. They are great examples. This week I was overwhelmed by their example of friendship to me, so I thought I would share them so you could try them out next time you want to be with someone.

• One friend emailed and said “I know you are a little overwhelmed, my hubby and I would like to bring you a meal this week.”
• Another friend gave me the perfect birthday gift – she remembered something from a particular shopping trip and went back to get it.
• In response to my really stinky day at work, several friends sent me affirming notes telling me they love me and they prayed for me.
• Two friends, who happen to be out of the country over my birthday, remembered my birthday and sent me special messages.

I would love to know a few ways that you are truly with your friends or how you work to add value to their life. Please share!

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Great thoughts Lindsay! So, will you brainstorm with us? What are some ways that we can be with our friends?

Would you like to win a copy of Friendship for Grown-ups? Don't forget to leave a comment on Monday's post to enter the giveaway. Today is the last day to enter. I hope you have enjoyed this series on friendship.