Friendship Month: The Gift of Friendship

by Dorothy Johnson

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9

I’ve been counting my blessings this week—specifically, close friendships.

On Monday, I discovered that one of my writing buddies had talked about our friendship on her blog and directed her readers to my site with the suggestion that they follow me! She was already very special to me, but this endeared her even more.

…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

As the week progressed, I spent time with friends I grew up with. We share so much history that they know the good, the bad, and the ugly about me and still love and accept me just as I am.

I talk with my sister-friend numerous times every week. Neither of us has a sibling, but we’ve shared so many secrets that we’re closer than sisters. It doesn’t mean we always agree, but we love each other and respect our differences. Not long ago when I asked if I had made her angry, she said, “I never get mad at you.” (I bet I try her patience though.)

A true friend is the gift of God, and he only
who made hearts can unite them. —Robert South

Wednesday at Bible study, I sat beside a woman I’ve come to cherish. Although I haven’t known her as long as those childhood friends, we have a heart connection that transcends time. Over the past ten years, we’ve shared our faith and prayed together more times than I can count. She helped me through a difficult period, and hopefully, I’ve comforted her, too.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32

Another Christian friend and I spent most of an afternoon this week working through a misunderstanding. We knew we could set things right when we made the time to talk honestly about it. Our bond was strengthened in the process.

A friend is what the heart needs all the time. —Henry Van Dyke

One of the things each of these relationships has in common is that while we’ve laughed together and celebrated one another’s victories, we’ve also cried together during difficult times. Nearly always, at some point, we joined in prayer over those tears.

I thank God for the sunshine these folks and a few others bring to my life. I’d love to hear about your treasured friendships, too.

Dorothy Johnson and her husband, Terry, live on a ridge overlooking the Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas. A lover of God, she blogs about life and faith at http://www.reflectionsfromdorothy.com.

Dorothy took up fiction writing after attending a writers’ retreat in 2011. She just finished her first novel and recently joined American Christian Fiction Writers.

Leave a comment on every Chirp 'N Chatter Friendship post in September for a chance to win the fantastic virtual gift basket! (See the 09/01/2016 Gift Basket post.)