Friendship, in my opinion, is one of the greatest blessings we have here on earth. But it isn't easy - deep and lasting friendships require mutual vulnerability and the choice to trust.
A friend is someone who will tell you the truth, in love, no matter the cost. Conversations are real. They see through hurt, lies and perfectionism to the real you.
Today, "Julie Friend" turns 30, and I am blessed to have spent the past nearly 10 years (wowdley!) with her as a friend. As I think back on our friendship, I reflect on some things she has taught me:
1. Live for Christ fully.
2. Be persistent with pursuing friendship (I can be bad at this sometimes).
3. Don't put God in a box.
4. Life is too precious to spend it caring too much about what people think.
4. Life is too precious to spend it caring too much about what people think.
5. Worship freely and fully.
6. It's okay to sing Celine Dion at the top of your lungs as you drive through the wilderness on the way to Florida in sparkly bras. Yes, I do have a wild side. No, most of you will not see it. Bring Julie Friend around and you just might, though. ;-)
7. Be consistent.
8. And honest.
9. There are people in your life you can be fully real with.
10. And they won't reject you.
10. And they won't reject you.
11. If two girls can make it through liking the same guy...at the same time...while being roommates, their friendship can probably make it through just about anything else.
12. Road trips are fantastic.
13. Sometimes, you laugh so hard you end up {literally} rolling on the floor. And that's okay.
12. Road trips are fantastic.
13. Sometimes, you laugh so hard you end up {literally} rolling on the floor. And that's okay.
14. Dressing up is fun.
15. It's pretty cool to be serenaded on your birthday to a violin solo, walkway of candles and nice dinner.
18. You can be passionate and literate.
19. Know why you believe what you believe.
20. Don't give up on your dreams.
21. If you lost your car, it is not necessarily because "it was STOLEN!"
22. Sometimes, it's okay to not be okay. God can handle it.
23. The best definition for certain prediciments often come in the form of a made-up word.
24. Celebrate life and live it to the fullest.
25. Love freely.
Thank you, Julie Friend, for being such a great friend and blessing to my life! Happy birthday.
16. Let go, let God...trust your relationships to Him.
17. "Tramp stamps" can be fun. ...we recommend the temporary kind.18. You can be passionate and literate.
19. Know why you believe what you believe.
20. Don't give up on your dreams.
21. If you lost your car, it is not necessarily because "it was STOLEN!"
22. Sometimes, it's okay to not be okay. God can handle it.
23. The best definition for certain prediciments often come in the form of a made-up word.
24. Celebrate life and live it to the fullest.
25. Love freely.
Thank you, Julie Friend, for being such a great friend and blessing to my life! Happy birthday.
