The Power of Friendship
On the way to Tennessee, I talked to several of my family and friends. I never turn on the radio; I prefer to talk to someone as I drive. One of my calls was to a blogger friend who has been going through a hard time this year. She and I became friends when she first started blogging and reached out to me. We’ve talked off and on over the years, but we’ve been talking more lately.
My friend is doing better now, but it has been a challenging season in her life, and it isn’t over yet. We were talking about life, challenges, blogging, etc. She asked me how often I did a blog post when I first started blogging and how that has changed over time. I told her I started posting five days a week and then added Saturday and, eventually Sunday to my posting schedule.
I feel like the Lord gave me my blog and I want to post on Sundays to honor Him. But my Sunday posts are stressful because I’m not a preacher or a theologian; I’m just an ordinary person trying to honor the Lord. I mentioned to her that I didn’t know what I was going to talk about this Sunday, and she immediately responded that I needed to talk about being a good friend.
Here are some of the traits of a good friend:
- Be Trustworthy
- Be Dependable
- Be Non-Judgmental
- Be A Good Listener
- Be A Loyal Friend
- Be Supportive
- Be Caring
- Be Fun To Be Around
- Know When To Give Space
- Do Not Spread Gossip About Your Friend
- Does Not Get Jealous of Good Fortune Of Friends
- Be Honest
- Accept Your Friend For Themselves, Don’t Try To Change Them
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Galatians 6:2
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
My friend went on to talk about how my friendship encouraged her when she started blogging and continues to encourage her while she is going through a challenging time. I had no idea she felt like that, especially since I hadn’t done anything special. What I saw as nothing special, she saw as uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging.
The beauty of friendship is that it brings two people together in good times and bad. Be that friend; the one others turn to, the one that keeps a secret, the one that is there in the tough times. You never know what it might mean to someone.
Have A Blessed Day!
To God Goes The Glory!
I loved this blog!
I have a friend that has all the traits described in your blog. We are both retired so we have more time now to spend together.
I would hate to do life without her.
I thank God everyday for bringing her into my life.
Barb
Your Sunday posts are inspiring and uplifting to me.
Thank you!
Beautiful.
Beautiful post!
Thank you for a wonderful thought provoking post.
This is such good advice. It was used to feel Holy Spirit leading me to beginning praying for one of my friends in a particular way.
Love this post so much!
Tania, thank you for the great reminder of how important it is to be a good friend! I have been through several painful, challenging times, and I don’t know how I would have kept going if it hadn’t been for my faithful friends praying for me and reaching out to me.
Yes, and I feel that you are a friend I just haven’t met in person yet, Tania. Thanks for being always so honest in the blog.
oh, and the “Joe” stories are great!
Just beautiful Tania.
Such a great message you shared with us today! You add something to our lives every day! Thank you and enjoy the Holidays,
Thank you for the encouraging message. My mom always said if you only have one true friend your whole life you are truly blessed. Even Moses needed his friends to hold him up when he didn’t have the strength to stand. And we all need to try to be that kind of friend. When we become Christians we gain the most precious friend…Jesus. He will stick closer than a brother. What a gift! I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you Tania!
Beautiful! True friendship is a blessing not to be taken for granted.
Absolutely! we should cherish them.
Enjoy your daily posts along with a daily Bible verse. Love your Sunday posts and am thankful you are willing to be true to your faith and not ashamed to share it.
Your post is on point. We don’t know how deeply our friendships can affect one another. Great reminder of how a friend acts.
I love this! I aspire to be a friend like this but often feel like I fall short.
This was a very special post. Thank you. I have tried to be that friend, yet have had to learn to let go and just pray for them. Thanks for this little nugget! friends are a very special treasure sent by God.
This was a very special post. Thank you. I have tried to be that friend, yet have had to learn to let go and just pray for them. Thanks for this little nugget!
Love the traits of a good friend and the Bible verses supporting friendship. An excellent example and reminder to appreciate the friends I have in my life. Thank you.
Thank you for these reminders. I think these reply to all relationships. Sometimes all people need are a good listener and cheerleader not a fixer.
Beautiful compilation of true friendship. And no one is a better friend than Jesus.
I just had lunch with my BFF yesterday. And she is the BEST!! Thanks for your posts, Tania. They are always good! I appreciate your fashion sense and advice. But, like another lady, I am most appreciative of the fact that you are faithful to God and have answered His call to offer this blog. Love you, my sister! Merry Christmas to you and all of your family!!
That is such a beautiful biblical
Post of friendship. A friend is definitely a blessing. Thank you for your posts.
I love your Sunday posts. Treasure your friends.
Tania, your Sunday posts help me much more than you know. When I first started receiving your newsletter it was just the fashion aspect I focused on. Now, almost 2 years later I look forward to your Sunday posts just as much. I find them so inspiring! Thank you!
Friendships are God-given gifts!
Thanks for this sweet reminder!
Really love your daily posts but especially the Sunday post. They inspire me to live closer to the Lord!
You’re amazing Tania!
Anita
The relationships women build around themselves are irreplaceable. Thanks for the reminder to thank these wonderful people and God for bringing them into my life.
I learned a lot from my friends this past year. I have a group of friends from high school, 40 years ago. Mostly, I was the friend who would see them 1 or 2 times a year. But this year, when they found out I had cancer, they were all there for me with meals, phone calls, visits, prayers, birthday celebrations, and love. I have learned that we definitely need to be there during the rough times as well as the good times. Thank you for this post. I am most thankful for my friends this year.
Thank you I love your Sunday posts.
Thank you for this post, you have not only uplifted your friend you have done the same for me. I appreciate the bible quotes and the fact you are God fearing and faithful, that was the main reason I started following your blog. Merry Christmas and God bless!
This is beautiful. I’d rather be surrounded by a small group of friends I know I can count on in good and bad times rather than several of the “fair weather friends” we hear of often. My friendships are gifts from God. Some date back to childhood, other treasured souls I’ve added in high school and beyond. I have no “sisters” by birth. I’ve selected mine over the years. Your friend clearly sees the value of a truly loving and supportive friend. Not everyone knows how to fill that role. Clearly you do, Tanya, and she counts you as a blessing. Lovely. BTW, I enjoy your Sunday posts. You often send a clearer message than our pastor 😉🤗
Love your Sunday posts but this one especially
This was very timely for me. I’ve been struggling trying to hold onto a friendship that I always thought would last for life. I’ve tried for three years make contact with my friend via phone calls, text messages, letters & visits. She hasn’t returned a phone call, was not home when I stopped by, & has only responded with a short one sentence response to all of my text messages. She finally texted & said that I don’t understand … she “chooses” to spend time with her live in boyfriend & doesn’t have time for me. I would never ask anyone to “choose” … to me friendship should be special enough to cherish & complement our life’s! I think it’s more difficult to lose a friend who is alive than one lost in death … because in death there is a final farewell. I decided to let my friend know that I have always valued our friendship, that I’m always here if she needs anything, that I hope someday soon she will have some time to get together, & that I thank God for the times we shared! ❤️
I love this about friends. I know just from this short time of knowing you that you are “ that friend” that listens, supports and all of the good things! I feel blessed to know you now🤗 Happy Sunday friend!
I love your Sunday messages! You are so right about friends. My best friend and I have been friends for sixty years now. We live many states apart, but keep in constant contact. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Love this! Small things do make a difference. Treat others as you want to be treated ❤️
This was an absolutely beautiful post. I like to think of myself as a good friend, but I think we can always have room for improvement. Thanks for the reminder of what makes a good friend!
Your Sunday posts are always encouraging and just what I need to hear. Thank you for adding them! 🙂
Fortunately I have several of those friends in my life. I haven’t found that ONE person to be all things but I am ok with that now. Sometimes, I feel they run in the other direction when they see me coming, as apparently I am quite needy. I have to reel it in and try not to be too whiny. Thank you for your Sunday posts. I am very thankful you decided to follow the Lord’s nudge.
Thank you! I appreciate you always posting on Sundays and having a daily Bible verse. Good bless you and Merry Christmas!
God blesses us with blog friends like you who listen to God’s leading and share what we need at the perfect moment. God bless you!
Merry Christmas
I love that your Sunday blog reminds us we are so much more than our clothes. Not saying it isn’t fun to think about that sometimes too.
Enjoyed todays POST. Very appropriate. Many persons have forgotten what it means to be a Friend. Thank you.
I enjoy your posts on Sundays. Today’s message was especially relevant. Thank you!
I am so glad you added Sunday to your blogs! As much as I love your everyday posts, Sunday is the one I wait for and need to read first thing. It always seems to be exactly what I need when I need it, so thank you for sharing your praise to the Lord.
I couldn’t survive without my friends! We plan once a month dinners together, just the girls, it’s always a share time, good or bad. The main thing is we are there for each other.
How beautiful! Your friend is exactly right- we may never know how even the smallest word or gesture we share with someone is anything but small to them.
Happy Sunday!
Oh and by the way- don’t sell yourself short on your Sunday posts you certainly don’t have to be a theologian or preacher to honor the Lord ,I love your Sunday post – very real and encouraging 😊
I love this message if friendship.❤
Perfect message. Thank you!
My best friend & I have been friends for 58 years. She is the sister I never had. My entire family thinks of her as family. Our friendship has seen us both through good & bad times but we both know we can always count on the other. Even now that we live 1000 miles apart.
I really like that coat you modeled from Kohls. Keep thinking about it, don’t even need a coat!
God bless!
During the years my mom struggled with dementia, I had a friend who always called me when things were really rough. She said she had just been thinking about me and wanted to check on me. I know my friend, who is a devout Christian, was prompted by God because her calls always came exactly when I was at my lowest. Her encouraging words carried me through some hard times.
This is a wonderful message. I really love this reminder to be a good friend. And a friend could be your family members too. Thanks for all you do.
I like your traits of a good friend. It’s sad, but sometimes it’s hard to find these days.
Thank you for this thought today. One of my BFFs has 2-4 months to live. She sure has picked me up & carried me over some rough terrain over the years. Your thought is a good reminder of what The Lord wants us to be to each other.
Community is crucial.
I love your Sunday posts. The Holy Spirit truly speaks through you each week and gives you the words to say to begin everyone’s week. Friendship is so important as we go through the stages of our lives. Keep up the great work, be blessed this week and always.
Love your post today! Where would we be without friends?
Many thanks!
Thank you for this. A friend of mine just lost a loved one and I am reminded that being present and listening is about all I can do right now. I can’t fix it or change it. Prayers appreciated.
So true!
Your traits of a good friend are spot on! I admire your love for the Lord and how you always tie in Bible verses. Thank you.