I have always felt that women provide special bonds of friendship for one another. Of course, men can have brotherly friendships as well, but when women care for one another, true sisterly bonds can form.
I've seen that this week, as a member of a women's group I belong to suffered a dislocated hip. Some women in our group met her at the emergency room and stayed with her until the medical personnel were able to fix her hip. Others of us brought her food and checked on her to see what her needs might be. This type of friendship goes beyond the "meeting up for lunch" type friendship. This is a sisterhood coming together during adversity. While all types of friendship are important, knowing that there are friends who are there in bad times as well as good is very important.
Being the introverted person I am, I have always found it hard to establish friendships. It takes me awhile to warm up to people, especially in group situations, and I have often been told I am "quiet" or it has been inferred that I am snobbish. This is not how I see myself at all. I see myself as a friendly person ready to offer a smile to others. But, I don't come into a large group and take the room by storm. That is just not my way.
Each of us is called to be a friend to others. But, we can do friendship on "our terms" as our personalities and gifts dictate. I am blessed to have friends in my life that accept me as I am even as I know that Jesus accepts me as I am.
When have you been a friend to someone lately? When has someone been a friend to you?
Blessings and Peace,
Debbie
8 comments:
It sounds like you have formed wonderful friendships with your women's group. How lucky the women are to have each other! I agree that friendships between women can be very special. And I'm truly grateful for my friendship with you, Debbie.
I feel the same way about you, Sharon! So very glad you are my dear friend and a true part of my life!
I like you am an introvert and slow to warm up to strangers. I'm so glad that I do have a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
So glad you have a close friend, Ruth. We introverts need close friends!
I have been badly burned in some friendships, especially by groups of women that I have belonged to, and that has made me gun shy in building deep friendships over the years. I think women can be so kind and loving to one another and on the flip side, can be terribly catty and jealous. Wish I had a good friend to walk with and craft with in my retirement. I spend a lot of time alone as my husband is still working. Like you, I can be quiet and tend to sit back in a large group, without saying much. And I am socially awkward. The craziest things happen to me when I am 'out and about' and that makes me reticent to 'hang out' with gals.
Hi Leslie: I understand what you mean about being burned in friendships. That has happened to me, as well, over the years in both groups and individually. There have also been people who were "friends" for a season and then moved on or moved away. I hope you have a lovely week ahead.
What a wonderful ladies group you are part of. It sounds like they really stepped up - I think that happens less often than it did "back in the day".
Iris
You sound very like me. It takes time for me to establish and develop a friendship although I try to be friendly at everyone. xx
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