Dear
Friends,
I realize, as I use that word, and as I preached Sunday about be-friending others, friendship can also be a painful subject. That there has been a drop of as much as 60% in those who say they don’t have six closer friends, or as many as a quarter of Americans don’t consider themselves to have even one close friend? Those are breath-taking statistics. And as simple as “take a risk, make a new friend” – it’s not easy. It can be painful.
In that vein, I came across a poem that I want to share with you today. It’s another blessing from John O’Donohue in his book To Bless the Space Between Us. And I offer it to you, today, as a gift, a balm, an encouragement, whether you’ve been spurned in friendship, lost a close friend to relocation or their passing, have been unable to connect deeply with someone – or in whatever way you might be experiencing a lack of friendship.
Over the years, I’ve experienced several losses of friendship. Some were just a gentle drift and a slow erosion due to time or geography. Some were more painful and abrupt, due to words or actions. I still remember the grief over a friendship lost some years ago, where my tears were met by God’s comfort through the strength of Bridgette’s arms.
In this blessing, may you too, find comfort and solace, and in Christ, the courage to open your heart to another and in so doing, find what you so deeply desire!
Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus,
Pastor Don
