.jpg)
Friendship: a heart connection
No woman is an island. This is a modification of a well-known, non-gender specific saying, but it is particularly true for women, being the relational creatures that we are. God in His infinite wisdom wired men and women differently. Generally speaking, women bond emotionally while men bond intellectually. Ours not to reason why - it's just the way it is.
Now this article may not apply directly to all you social butterflies out there who are blessed with an arsenal of friends, but there is a large demographic of women to whom it does apply. If this is you, keep reading! It's amazing how many lonely women there are all around us, right there in close proximity to us. Note here that lonely doesn't not necessarily mean alone. A person can be surrounded by people and/or material possessions and still be devoid of the meaningful heart connection found in real, genuine friendship. Sometimes one true friend is all she needs, even more than a 'posse' or social network.
As women of faith, we have a unique pre-disposition to demonstrate and share our faith by this relational dynamic that is latent within our DNA. Unfortunately, many times our faith, instead of serving as a magnet that draws people to us and vice versa, becomes a polarizing factor. Because someone does not believe the exact same way we do, we tend not to gravitate towards them. In so doing, we sometimes do ourselves a disservice and miss out on some amazing friendships and connections because we are busy looking for labels. Jesus himself had quite a motley crew that he hung out with - skeptics, intellectuals, rich men, tax collectors, ex-prostitutes, social and religious outcasts...you name it, they were in his rolodex! And he loved them right into his kingdom.
Because of our busy lifestyles, we women often neglect our emotional well-being, even when we may be seeing to that of loved ones in our lives. Apart from work and career obligations, we are often nurturing or caring for others - husbands, children, parents, etc. and leave ourselves off the list of priorities. Usually, it takes a burnout or emotional crisis for us to face the realization that we need a release valve. A way to avert this problem long before it ever becomes one is by having a girlfriend or two. Invest in your social and emotional well-being by embarking on a treasure hunt for a true friend. Not a perfect friend (because chances are you are not one either), but a true one. Like me, you may have been burned by a friendship-gone-wrong, but don't let that rob you of a blessing. Don't give a potential friend someone else's whooping! There may be someone out there who can benefit from your presence in their lives. Besides, for every friend who has hurt you, there's probably one whom you yourself have hurt, even if inadvertently. You may be quiet and introverted by nature; there is ample opportunity to connect with other women right where you live. Even being house-bound is no longer an excuse! You may have to step out of your comfort zone just a little, but the possibilities are endless.
In the next few articles, we will look at how and where you can make creative connections right here in your local community, so come right back.
Comments