_Friendship like Esther. 

Times are different from when I grew up. I literally have my best friend to this day from living next door to her from the time I was born. 

Today, we have to be more intentional than ever before. 

Yes, I know that life is busy. 

Yes, I know and believe that not every opportunity is your Best Yes (Amen to that amazing book by Lisa Terkeurst). But also know that it is easy to make excuses. 

Loving our neighbors is an act of inconvenience. But oh how God's love spreads when we decide to step out of our comfort zones. 

Who knows? Perhaps God has been waiting to answer one of your prayers through a neighbor's friendship. 

For the past few years we have organized a block party. Since moving into the apartment, we have met many, but not all of our neighbors. Can I encourage you to step out and just draft a simple invitation like we did? 

A fun tip is to have even house addresses bring a side dish and odd house addresses bring a dessert. Everyone brings their own beverages and we typically provide the burgers and/or chicken sausages. But if this doesn't work for your budget- try a "bring your favorite batch of chili" party. Or a "sides only" party. Trust me....there will always be enough food. And if you are OK with maybe having only chips and cupcakes to eat for a night......you'll make some great memories. 

Happy Planning!
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_Friendship like Esther. 

_Friendship like Esther.

Some of my most treasured blessings are my closest friends. As an extrovert and a Nurse it is safe to say that I like people. I like to be around people. I like to hear their stories. I can also say that since having the opportunity to be at James Place, I now am comfortable with any person. I can share my faith so much easier than before. And God uses people to knit our stories together. 

The past few months have really allowed me to see how much friendship is a gift straight from the good Lord. Helping a loved one with alcohol addiction and other mental illnesses is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. 

WAIT. 

I take that back. 

LOVING someone with an alcohol addiction and other mental illnesses is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. 

In the beginning of this journey I said that I didn't love him yet but the most I could do was show him love through my actions. But there were days when I couldn't choose love. Frustration, hurt, selfishness and pride took the front seat. 

And that's when friends came in.

How I love to share fun times with friends. Those moments are  obviously treasured. But the ones I value most are the times when a friend calls and says that she is going to drive over 4 hours to get to where I am to do whatever needs to be done at my Dad's house so that when he gets home from his first detox, he can have a real shot at sobriety. 

Another friend calls and tells me never to apologize asking for help-saying it in a text would not have been personal enough so she chose to speak words right through the phone and straight into my heart. 

Another couple texts and says "We are leaving now (to help with the house) and if you try calling to talk us out of it we won't answer". 

Friends who have allergies but still come. Friends who give up time with their kids. Friends who pray for not just me- but my family and my Dad. 

I have seen that my Dad has no solid support from his "friends". I used to think me and my brother were all that he had. But my friends have chosen to love him. I have always loved the term "hot mess". Just today, one of these dear friends gave me a beautiful note and a sweatshirt that embraces real life. We love each other, even amidst the hot messes of life. 

I am grateful for my friends who chose to love me by also loving someone I am learning to love. You can't take them from me, but I will share:) I have asked several to be guest bloggers on this site and you too will be blessed from their words and examples. I can't wait for you to meet them! 

_Friendship like Esther. ​

_Friendship like Esther. 

Embrace the true friendships God has placed in your life. 

As I have gotten older I have learned to see the value that the quality of a friendship is so much more valuable than the quantity of friendships that I have. And while this is true- I think that quantity time is still important over quality time. I say this because a relationship can only grow if there are consistent efforts to help water it. I just water fewer gardens now...and that is ok. 

I suppose it seems strange to have a website and blog to stress the importance of conversations and face to face time but I am doing this with the prayer that some of my reflections can be helpful to others. 

What we truly need is raw friendships. Ones that can be a hot mess sometimes. Ones that need apologies sometimes. Ones that bring so much laughter and joy to your soul that you smile. Ones that will crawl in be with you when you have postpartum depression and don't have any words to say. Just like Job's friends [when they first showed up...not later!] "Then they sat on the ground with him for 7 days and 7 nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was". Job 2:13. I didn't realize how valuable friends are until they truly see you at your lowest point....and they still keep coming back. They don't give up on us. They help us to the other side. 

I am grateful for each friendship that nourishes me. But I can't forget that I need to be intentional about investing in the friendships that I value. Friendships get a little more distant when spouses, children and aging parents come into play. And that is also OK. But I am going to focus on watering, even a little at a time to help them grow. 

Where's your watering can friends? What friendship do you need to be intentional with today?

​_Friendship like Esther.