Friendship

I recently finished reading Father Fiction, by Donald Miller.
Since attending the Storyline conference, I've been trying to read books by all the presenters. Theoretically, I should have done this before attending, so that I could've been as star-struck as my peers. But once I caught a glimpse of the wisdom from the platform, I knew it would serve me well to dig into more of their offerings.

Miller mentioned at the conference the healing process involved in the writing of this book, as he processes his wounds from growing up fatherless and lends fatherly advice to others (specifically men/boys) with similar circumstances. Since I am not the intended audience for this book, much of it's gusto was probably lost on me. 

On an unrelated note: I will likely return to this book when my boy is older, because Miller talks some about abandonment. Jericho will grow up with a strong and loving father, but there will be a very real wound created by separation from his birth parents (even for their heroic reasons). Our parental love will simply not be big enough to heal it, so I will seek to understand those places in his heart (from any avenue available) and pray that he turns to the healing power of God.

One of the last chapters was on friendship, reminding the reader that you become like the people you spend the most time with. And, while reading that chapter, I couldn't help but feel abundantly thankful for the friendships I've been gifted over the years. I think God has been intentionally sowing remembrance into my spirit, first with our return trip to Atlanta and then a visit from some college friends this weekend. I have friends all over the country who know me (the best and worst from different seasons of life) and still love me, who challenge me, who encourage me, who are discontent with the shallow, who make me laugh, who give me hope, who spur me on, who carry me and who dream for me. The preciousness of this gift is not lost on me.

And it gives me great excitement about the friendships that are being forged now, and those that I can't forsee - I am excited to be changed and loved in community again. And again. And again.

If you have the wrong friends, be brave enough to find new ones.
If your friends have expectations of you (instead of dreams for you), find new ones.
If your dearest, inner circle friends aren't pointing you to Jesus, find new ones.

Because I've had the joy of real friendship. It is worth searching the world for, investing years in, and protecting at all costs.