There are only a few people you will ever be blessed to meet that will be this kind of friend. A true friend that loves you at your best and worst. Someone who listens and pats your head letting you cry it all out (or write it all out.)
But once you let go, and let the real you shine through, knowing that person still loves you and believes in you anyway in spite of the flaws, well, that’s a real friend.
I don’t know if this kind of friend is a common as we think. There is such freedom in being real, being who you are, letting go of fears that others may judge or think less of you should you show them the real person inside by expressing the depths of your heart. Sometimes, just saying how you really feel is better than bottling it up, because letting it out restores healing.
This kind of friend won’t judge or lecture because they understand rash words or feelings may just be our pain crying out. They know us and love us to know maybe we just need to vent and they understand the root cause of our pain.
Being real takes courage.
Being you takes courage.
But as my beautiful mama says, (paraphrased) Sometimes God uproots the weeds in our friendship gardens to only leave us with the flowers.
I’m so glad for the true flowers still left in my friendship garden. π€
I pray that I will grow to be this kind of friend.
βOh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.β
β Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
π»πΌπ·βπ΅πΉπ₯
They are few and far between.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very true, dear one. I have learned this truth recently. Hugs!π€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great post Vivian!! My grandmother told me once that if you can make a true friend, you’ve accomplished more than most in one lifetime. I like to think I’ve accomplished this.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you so much. Your grandmother’s words are so wise. Moms and grandmoms are gifts forever etched in our hearts because they know by experience the truth discovered only through living and learning. God bless you John!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Viv!
LikeLiked by 2 people
π€ You too John!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are so right! True friends love us at all times! The good, bad and the ugly! π
LikeLiked by 3 people
They sure do!! It’s such a humbling gift to receive such rare friendship! Praise God. Thank you for stopping by and your supportive comments! It means a lot to me!π€
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is wonderful! As an adult it is hard to find such a true friend.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh yes, Michelle!! Definitely! I’m learning this but it took brain injury and chronic illness to reveal who is and isn’t. Painful, but ultimately good. Praying for you today. Big hugs!π€πβ€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Vivian! Praying for you as well. HUGS back!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Michelle! Have you seen the prayer group on Stuart Cullen’s blog? Feel free to join!!π€
LikeLiked by 2 people
No I haven’t. Thank you for letting me know about it. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re so welcome. Also, TR from Inside Cup has a community prayer request pubically you can join. Stuart’s is through email. God bless you. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautifully expressed, simple beautiful. And true.
When we are lucky enough to find such a person, treasure them with the care God bestowed on us through love. We all need to ‘vent’ and get it out of our system, in a positive way, through dialog. What better way then to have someone who understands and just lets us pour our hearts. The cleansing and comfort that comes afterwards is assurance and trust and we are both better for it. Love is endearing! Blessings!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you for this treasured comment!! I am delighted to tell you God has given me a few gemstone friends to treasure and love. That assurance and trust you speak of speaks such comfort to me. I praise our Lord Jesus for these friends!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
God bless them and you..π€ You are a special treasure, so glad we have this connection. Peace be with you always.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m thankful too for this connection! God knew last night I needed to hear from you. Today the sun is shining again!! ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praise God I have a few of these!!! Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am in that area of my life π
Wonderful post Vivian!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so thankful you do Stuart! You truly are blessed to have such a rare gift of genuine friendship. Praise God! π Thank you so much.π
LikeLiked by 2 people
True wordsπ
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much!!!π»
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is so beautiful. What a blessing to have and be such a friend – i truly feel it is God’s Grace that makes it possible. When we need such love, He makes it happen and that is so sweet and special. Thank you for these words, beautiful Vivian! π
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yes Krishna!! God’s gift of grace does indeed make this happen in our lives! You are right! Awww, you’re so welcome sweet lady!!!! Much love to your dear heart!!! πβ€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Vivian. Prayers for a beautiful day for you. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much darling lady!!π€π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely thoughts Vivian. So true, these friends are very rare and when they come into our lives are like gems. Thank you for sharing.
Jordan
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Jordan! I agree so much! Rare and precious like a glistening ruby in the sunshine! I’m thankful God has granted me a few gems in my life. And shown me who exactly they are!!π Blessings dear girl!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
πindeed, we are blessed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like that! God bless!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Ryan! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such a beautiful post Vivian! So true, true friends are like pearls really precious!! β€οΈ
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes exactly!! Pearls!! What a beautiful way to put it!! That means so much Kranti and thank you for this!! π€β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
My absolute pleasure, Vivian! β€οΈπ€
LikeLiked by 2 people
π€β€π€β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
β€ β€ being real is so important and real friends can be so encouraging for us to be a real friend too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it is sooooo encouraging and it does take courage but the rewards are so worth it!! Much love TR!!π€β€β€β€β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
π β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wonder – do you think women have friends like this more than men? It seems that way to me. My best friend is my wife and that makes us stronger, but I don’t know of guys having close friends like this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do actually. My husband would say the same of me. He doesn’t have any close friends, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. My dad has a long time friend who he talks to once a month by phone and that seems to work for them. I think of the friendship mentioned between David and Jonathan in the bible and know that a close friendship like that is possible but rare. I used to think I had tons of friends but after illness and injury I have learned that this kind of friend is less common than I thought.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, possible but rare for men, that’s a good way of looking at it. My wife went through something similar due to illness. Relationships change over time I think. Peace to you and your family.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I understand how she must have felt. π’ Praying for her and your family! Thank you.π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
π
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is wonderful and so true ……… Even if it isn’t a garden full of flowers …just a few handful are also enough if they are true friends
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you dear Sakshi! Truly, a handful is plenty if they are genuine. Much love sweetie!! π€π€
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree ππ
LikeLiked by 2 people
ππππ
LikeLiked by 2 people
So nice words. It is coming directly from your to my heart. Yes we all need friends. Friends come in different shapes and sizes. You have created a picture of an ideal friend. I can think of only one ideal friend. That friend is found in only one that friend is ………….any….. guess……πππ. Ok let me not test your patience. That friend is Jesus. Your post reminded me of this. π Proverbs 18:24 NASBS
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very true Nitin. Jesus is the best friend anyone can ever have. Yes, I was thinking of more of an ideal friend…….I have lost so many over my illness and injury I really treasure the flowers that remain in my friendship garden. Honestly, I don’t know now if I’m a desired friend or if I’m just loved out of empathy. It’s okay though. God bless you for your comments, they really helped me. ππ€
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve been a great friend and so supportive! Bless you for being so very kind. ππΉ
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure ma’am. You have always been so kind to me. Thanks for considering me as your friend. I am honoured. Thanks again
LikeLiked by 2 people
My blogging friends and family are treasures! Truly a blessing from God!! You are so welcome!! ππ€
LikeLiked by 1 person
πππ
LikeLiked by 2 people
My dear Sister, I love you because of who You are not what you have are don’t have. God has open doors for me to connect with others. When I was diagnosed…there were many who are no longer in my life. But I’m ok because Jesus Christ has plans for you and I and many others as well. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. And He provides us our Needs. Amen!! Amen!! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love you too. I feel so blessed by that love. Yes, it’s hard to lose the ones we love at our lowest but it’s ok. Amen!! He won’t ever leave or forsake us. Have you read my poem about Jesus my friend? It’s been awhile, I’ll send a link. Xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://godswhispersoftruth.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/a-friend/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very Touching!! ((Hugs)) God Bless You Vivian!! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big hugs back dearest Betty, my sister and friend!π€πππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how very true!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad you think the same. ππ€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh!! My Dear Sister, and Friend!! I Love This So Much!! I Can Relate To Every Word That You Have Shared Here. I Have Taste The Sweet, as Well as The Bitter. It Has Been Jesus Christ Who Has Listen To Every Crying, Angry, etc. Words That Was Within My Own Heart. It Was Him Who Had Clean All The Bitterness etc. From out of my own heart. So I Can Once Again Be A Friend To Others. I Can Say He Is My Friend. He Has Shut Doors and Open Doors To People Whom He Knows Are To Be, and I To Be A True Friend. You are One of them. And I’m One of Your Friends. ((Hugs)) God Continue Using You To Encourage Others In His Name. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen dearest sister Betty. It’s only Jesus who will listen to my hurt and pain knowing how to comfort me perfectly. Yes, you are right, He can heal the hurt, pain and bitterness. I admit, I have tasted the bitterness of friends lost and why. They have rejected me at my lowest. I have been abandoned by most and the church looks away. But, Jesus is healing my hurt, and the bitterness and showing me that He is the most Faithful FRIEND I will ever have or need. He is my Friend! Yes, dearest Betty and you too. I am so thankful and blessed by your friendship dear heart. You encourage and love me everyday, for that I’m so very grateful. Hugs precious! π€π€
LikeLike
Let go all you want and you will still be believed in because you are a special person! True. And you speak positively about things that others may have a negative tone about. Your posts are uplifting and you are a blessing!! πππ€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Christy! I have tasted the bitterness of the reality of friendships lost post TBI but I do believe that God puts certain people in our lives for a reason and a season. Awwww, I’m so glad they uplift and bless you. π€π
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post touches me deeply, Vivian! There is a sense, and some personality types, that are never really understood and never feel like they fit it. This kind of friend, to me anyway, is more than rare, and more than a treasure from God’s treasure chest if you find one! I pray you have many of these friends, and thank you for the reminder of what we need to be for other people as well!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m delighted you could relate to it Jeff. I definitely understand what you mean about personality types. I am married to an INFJ and my daughter is an INTJ both quiet, not the popular type. Lol, I’m outgoing, or I used to be….. but now with TBI I’m more quiet and also not the popular type. Haha!!π God’s given me a few close friends through all this and I’m now more enlightened as to what a friend really is. God bless you. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good! I am glad you have a few close friends! Worth their weight in gold! I can relate to you husband, for I am an INFJ also. I am an introvert, but always, always considered an extrovert. Your husband, as a male INFJ, is considered maybe .5% to at the very most 1.5% of the male population! If he ever feels he is not understood, tell him I feel his pain!! Maybe that is another reason I so relate to your post, Vivian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness! That’s unbelievable! My poor hubby has always felt like a lone chief dancing to the beat of his own drum. Well wouldn’t you know! Ha! .5%-1.5% is very tiny…..no wonder he doesn’t have friends!π£ Pre TBI I was an ESFP, but have no idea what I am now. Probably more introverted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree. He probably does feel alone. INFJs see, sense and feel things others donβt at times. It can be quite painful, overwhelming at times. And when he senses things about people that he shouldnβt know, and then you find out heβs right later, it can be spooky! You can go to Humanmetrics.com and take on line version for free. Look forward to seeing what you βareβnow….but you are still, and always will be, you! Thatβs a good thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Jeff, the test said ISFJ. Huh! I’ve definitely changed but, I still love people even though I’m not into social things presently I feel for others pains, hurts…..sometimes I feel so much. It’s like a deep hurt for others. I’m not sure why my P perception changed to J judgement. But, it’s called the Nurterer and I agree with that. Yes, spooky. He can sense things about others I think are nice. I have always been perceptive but he can discern better than I can. And I’m glad for that! Thanks so much. It’s been fun! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just read about ISFJ also. Your family is blessed to have you. You and your husband match well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I think so! Awwww, thanks Jeff.
LikeLiked by 1 person