So interesting to me that with the current trends of non-verbal communication; texting, Facebook, Twitter and e-mails coffee shops and other face to face venues are flourishing. Even through the fad is to communicate in these new ways there's something that still draws us together. How can we guard, build and experience the beauty of strong friendships.
Providing an atmosphere to network, develop and create new friendships is one of the primary purposes for Wings. We do not intend to orchestrate these friendships, but rather allow them to form organically. We encourage you to exchange cell numbers, plan a coffee date, meet for a walk or start a book study. Be bold and connect with someone new!
Oooh, that’s somewhat scary, huh? I’m sure every single one of us has been hurt by a friend at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, we have just as surely been the source of hurt to one of our friends, too. It works that way with friends… Any time we open up our heart in relationship there is the potential for pain. So, do we buy into the lie that it’s not worth it? Or the biggest lie of all, “If I don’t open myself to anyone again, I won’t get hurt.” REALLY? If we build walls like that we are just alone and hurting inside them. Those walls do not protect us, they are a prison!
Acquaintance—someone we’ve met or known about; that we may or may not recognize or remember in the future. We really know little about these people and they know little of us. These are surface relationships unless we choose to develop them further. They are not likely to inflect hurt because of the lack of heart connection.
Casual—people we’ve become more familiar with or met in one or more settings, sometimes through mutual friends. These friends have access to more information about us and us about them through life circumstances, familiarity and by our permission they could become close friends. We could be surprised by them, but the ability for them to really affect substantial pain towards us is minimal.
Close—friends. These people we have allowed into the soft part of our heart. This gives them the power to hurt and bless us by their friendship. We know them… and they know us. It’s both fulfilling and risky. Closeness happens in a moment at times—crazy when that occurs; others times this level of friendship develops over years. This doesn’t make them better or worse just happens differently.
Intimate—only a few friends arrive here. There are no words that describe an intimate friendship. Someone whom you trust to know your worst flaws and they choose to remain committed because their love is pure. Sometimes married couples get here, but sadly not all. When the silence doesn't have to be filled and the "look" doesn't have to be explained... when your name is safe on their lips. Usually some painful moments bring both of you to this point, but the pain worked through has left a stronger foundation.
Some friendships are seasonal parts of our lives, some blossom beautifully is an instant, sadly, some that have been built over years are destroyed just as fast. Some friends will precede through the stages, but some aren't ever meant to. Excepting and understanding the differences in friendships keeps us from unhealthy expectations and unnecessary pain.
We were created to be in relationships. It's the way we are wired. We need human connection to be healthy and balanced emotionally. Spiritually speaking too, we were created to be in close relationship with God. He created the perfect environment set us in the middle with only one restriction and when we blew that He gave again--His own Son to restore the loss of relationship our sin caused! Pretty intense commitment to us.
There are levels of relationship with God as well as people. We choose how close we want to be to God. The door on His end is always open. Though His invitation to relationship is there He will not force His way into our lives that's our call...
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