Redefining Friendship Pt 1

Today I was awoken with lingering memories from a dream from last night’s slumber. 

In the dream I was chatting and laughing and adventuring with friends I had not seen for, and had parted ways with, a number of years past, and my heart broke (yet again) as I reflected upon how we would not be crossing this next year together. I was surprised at this, for since it has been practically a decade since I laid the pain of friendship lost to rest, and at least several years since having walked with Jesus through the healing process for those old wounds, should there still be such a visceral ache in my heart at this very moment? 

Troubled, I arose at an unusual 6am, and began the day’s contemplation. As I journaled and sat with Jesus, a verse came to mind: 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity - Proverbs 17:17

Now, one might read this as, there is love within friendship, and nothing is stronger than the support of God given family in times of trouble. However, as I contemplated, another lens began to surface, which I invite any who chance upon this to consider. 

As I dwell on friendship, love and family, and my true experiences of them, I begin to read this passage in another way:

The love of Godly Kingdom friendship endures all seasons of life, and out of Christlike love and friendship is born Kingdom Kinship which bears each other up in life’s times of sustained trouble, difficulty, pain, and lament. 

The deep love of Christ always has more capacity to love. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. For one, and for many. With boundaries, but also knowing no bounds. 

Though we might not walk side by side on the same path any longer, my love does continue on. 

Q’s for Contemplation: 

How have I viewed friendship up until this point? 

How have I been hurt by past friendships? 

How have I hurt others in past friendships?

How have these experiences shaped my view of friendship? 

How can I lean on Jesus as I continue to grow friendships in the present? 

How do I lean on Jesus as I continue to bear love and perhaps mourn friendships past? 

How do I love friends and friends turned kin with the love of Christ? 

Who is my kin in Christ? 

What does it mean to be kin in Christ? 

How does this shift in perspective impact my relationships? 

Stand on them Shoulders

 I'M BACK. 

Yes. I am alive! After 7 years, I make a come back. Really a perfect number of years, if you like a little light numerical significance. 

In some ways I'm the same ol' person, and in others, a completely different one. Without shifting my tone, let me jump right back into it!

The concept of standing on shoulders came to me either in the preceding year, or the year preceding the last. Really a revelation regarding the legacy that one leaves that can be within the boundaries of almost any relationship. 

An example is the legacy of worship leading, or bible reading, or prayer, or even church building.

Its the idea that a spiritual warrior in one aspect can place building blocks in a junior's life to help them to build their discipline in the same area of spiritual focus. These building blocks are usually formed by the spiritual warrior's own journey in developing and growing in this spiritual discipline. 

The legacy is then carried forward when the junior then has the humility to stand on the shoulders (i.e. the building blocks, experience, and learned wisdom) of the predecessor, in order to further their ability to comprehend, expound upon; further their understanding and go deeper in the practice of said spiritual discipline.

Humility for both parties is important. The latter must have the humility to see the wisdom, experience, and labour poured forth by the former as valuable in aiding them in their understanding and journey and ability to see further than they would be able to if they were building from ground up. 

The former must have the humility to realize and accept that once the latter is now standing on their shoulders (building blocks), they now have the ability to take their wisdom and understanding even further than they would have been able to envision, and to heed and take to heart the compounded vision of the later party. 

What a beautiful relationship can be formed by such, as each continually pushes the other deeper and deeper into a richer and richer relationship with God and practice of their faith!

Ideally. 

... Course, we know how it usually goes. But hopefully this tidbit is helpful in suggesting that you might take the humble approach the next time you find yourself on either side of this coin!