Intentional Friendships

Welcome to the Intentional Series. In the next few days you will discover ways how the Lord wants us to be intentional in our time with Him, our spouse, children, and friends (community)! May the Lord bless you in this series and may he reveal something fresh and new for you.

There was once a young lady who was all about friends. She loved friendships and she loved community. Friends were her “thing” and would always make sure she made the time for them.

Then one day, all the friends split, went their separate ways, and this young lady tore apart inside. She had tried everything she could to communicate and visit them. But all it did was leave her drained. Pouring all out of her cup and having little to no receiving from them. She questioned herself, her worth, and her friends. She thought “if this is what friends are for, I don’t want any anymore.”

It wasn’t until God brought her to church, showed her real life people who are all about community and friendships. He began to prune people out of her life, even in the hurt and pain. But God was there. He never left her. He began to show her intentional friendships and the life that is brought in it.

Friends come, friends go, friends stay for years and some a short while. With each friend we come across there is always a lesson to be taught.

God is about community, about relationships, about friendships. He loves family. This is why he created people to welcome them to His family. We are not only intentional about being with God, family, parenting, and spouses, but also with friends. We must make time for our friends who are there for us. The ones who are there to speak truth with grace and salt. The ones who God has sent us.

We can do this intentional friendship by a few things:

  • Have a coffee date
  • Have a play date
  • A lunch, dinner or even breakfast if you’re an early bird
  • Maybe even a gathering just to chat
  • A walk or bike ride
  • Painting class

    There is many options to do all it takes is for BOTH parties to be intentional in a call, text, an in person hang out. Block out a time once a week or even twice a week, always make sure it is at least more than once a month to keep the friendships running deep with one another. The same way we builder relationship with God by being with Him daily, we must be intentional with our friends he has put on our path.

    Friend, I also want to share this sister tip: when one person pours more into the relationship it isn’t healthy for neither parties. It is best to pray on the friendship and ask the Lord for direction and discernment on where to go in that situation.

Questions to Ponder:

Take a look around your circle….

  • What circle are you around?
  • Is it a healthy one? A negative one? A encouragement light the path one?
  • Is it a draining one sided one?
  • What can you change in yourself right now?
  • What can you do for your intentional friendships right now?

Read more on our blog post Cultivating Friendships

Verses to Ponder:

  • Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 NIV
  • Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other! Proverbs 18:24 The Passion Translation
  • Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companions of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 ESV
you may also like