Friendless
Ok, I do have friends. Very, very good friends. But they don't live near me. The closest is about 3 1/2 hours away. So I feel friendless. Since we moved to this area two years ago, making friends here has been the biggest challenge for me. I've met lots of people, but haven't made any friends. It's just plain sad and lonely. It triggers depression. Pity party anyone? I don't think this is just a problem for me. I hear about it a lot from different people online. But being online will never replace the valuable friendships we have in person.
I guess there was a report done recently on the decline of friendships. I found an article about it on CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/06/23/friends.health.reut/) It amazes me that people are living more closer together than ever, yet we are more isolated from each other than ever. Yet the desire for these missing friendships are great. Maybe because it's the way God designed us?
So, what keeps us from making good Christian friendships? Is it that we're too busy? Is it that we are too worried about what others will think about us? Afraid of rejection? Are our own expectations too high? For me the answer to all those is yes.
I pray that the Lord would bless me with close friendships with other Christian women in my area. I pray that the Lord would lead me to be taken under the loving wing of a Titus 2 mentor. I know that there are others who feels the same way. I also know that I have to take initiative and do something about it. No pain, no gain, right? That is the part I have the hardest time with. 
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
A true friend is the gift of God, and he only who made hearts can unite them.
Robert South
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.
Abraham Lincoln
Are we going to be friends forever? Asked Piglet. Even longer, Pooh answered.
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
What keeps us from friendships?
Posted by gokings13 on Friday 30 June 2006 at 3:15 PM - Link
Fear.
At least for me.
When I was 13 my best girl in the world became friends. We were 13......not cautious, not concerned what others thought, not 'fake'....we were kids and we connected with "child like faith". We are still friends today. I love her with every fiber of my being.
When I was 22/23 I was playing cards with a gal at a party. Here it is 17 years later and we are still friends. That friendship is different though. It is NOT the same level of trust, not the same level of faith. I love her but it is different than my other gf.
Relationships with women seem to last about 2-3 years with me, then I am DONE. I do not have a close friend who is a like minded Christian.....not one that I can go visit or hang out with. I do have an online friend who lives in Israel!
I do not connect with women because I do not trust them. It seems every time I try, I end up getting burned, lied too, hurt, deceived. They act like they are one person (some Holy some just 'good') then once you get to know them........WOW.............
I hate wasting my time.
I am slowly learning to take all of this "friendship" energy and turn it towards my husband and children. I will give them every ounce of me until the kids move away.......then maybe I will have grandbabies to pour this energy into? Maybe I will start a True Titus 2 group. I don't know? Whatever God calls me too I suppose.
Laura
friends
Posted by marilynchristine1 on Monday 3 July 2006 at 5:28 PM - Link
yes, I too have found that friends are not easy to find like the old days- I remember as a kid even though we lived on the farm the whole community were friends- lets pray that folks find friendship again- Mean while keep blogging as I enjoy your writings- huggles me
Great post!
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday 11 July 2006 at 11:10 PM - Link
I could have written this myself! We, too, moved to our small town (southern Indiana) about four years ago (!) and I still struggle with friendship.
Women my age have children (usually more than one) and just aren't "available" to do stuff with. Schedules are too complex, then everyone's too busy minding the children to get to serious talk.
Women without children who are willing to meet you at lunch when you have your child along are rare - I've got one friend like that.
Homeschooling makes this friendship thing even more difficult - people don't understand why you don't just "take off" in the evening and get away from your family. "Do something for you!" they say. I am. I'm investing my time and energy into my family. :) I love that.
I think it's a matter of having different priorities in our lives - family, raising our children, values, etc. - and we may need to realize that outside friendships, too, have their season.
Found your blog via the HOO forums! I'm enjoying it!
Friends...
Posted by marthaskitchen on Friday 21 July 2006 at 10:13 PM - Link
When I moved to Townsville 9 years ago i left behind my best friend & a few other friends in Melbourne which is about 4 hours away by plane. I did not have any friends just a few people I met at work & said hello to at church but no one I really connected with. So I prayed for some good encouraging Christian friends. God answered my prayers. Over a period of years I have 3 close friends who are complete opposites to me and to each other but the blend works. Because God put them in my life I now do scrapbooking, looking at homeschooling in the near future & get to drink lots of coffee - grin. Really what I wanted to say is be encouraged, God hears your prayers & a friend will pop up in the least unexpected way for you.
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