3MN: Have you lost the art of real friendship?
Happy 3-Minute Thursday!
You are busy, so let's make this quick. No fluff, no filler, no spamming. Your breakthrough is 3 minutes away.
š¬ In the next 3 minutes:
- A rare moment of real friendship.
- The person that means most to us.
- How can we be real friends for each other when we need comfort?
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š“ Minute 1 - A rare moment of real friendship.
Today is a tough day. I found myself awake most of the night, engrossed in heartfelt conversations with some dear friends who were navigating a challenging moment. It was a rare moment, one that got me thinking of the profound beauty that real friendship can bring to our lives.
In a world filled with social media, where we're often more connected than ever before but somehow feel lonelier, it's easy to wonder whether the essence of true friendship has been lost amidst the sea of digital interactions. It's not that we don't have friends or acquaintances; it's that the nature of our relationships has shifted.
Real friendship, the kind that shows itself in those late-night conversations and unwavering support during tough times, is a precious art. It's built on a foundation of trust, vulnerability, and genuine care for one another. In our fast-paced lives, it's all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of busyness, leaving little time to cultivate these deep connections.
But moments like the one I experienced last night remind us that real friendship is still alive and well, waiting to be nurtured and cherished. It's about being there for someone when they need you most, listening without judgment, and offering a shoulder to lean on. It's about sharing the highs and lows and all the in-betweens.
š£ļø Minute 2 - The person that means most to us.
Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. - Henri Nouwen
ā¤ļø Minute 3 - How can we be real friends for each other when we need comfort?
š Comfort with your words. Your words are powerful, but you don't need to prepare a whole speech or write an essay to comfort someone. Simple words like, "I'm sorry," "I'm here," "I love you," and "I'm listening" are often all you need.
š Comfort with your presence. Sometimes just your quiet presence can be even more powerful than your words. Your friend may not need advice. They might just need someone to reach out, listen, and remind them they care.
š Comfort with your actions. When a friend is crying, cry with them. When they're having a hard time, text them, buy them some ice cream, give them a hug, or simply ask them what they need.
š Point them toward something beyond. God is often called the great Comforter. Real friends don't hold that truth to themselves. There is comfort in a Creator who deeply cares for its creation.
If you need some extra comfort or support right now, don't be afraid or ashamed to say so. I'll be happy to listen, cry, or be a sounding board for you.
VERSE OF THE WEEK š„
A F L A A T, A A B I B F A.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Until next week,
Payton Minzenmayer
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