Kingdom Friendships

A few weeks ago, I had the sweetest time with one of my best friends. We visited The Dallas Botanical Gardens, and honestly, it was like stepping into Disneyland, but with more plants and fewer roller coasters. How in the world have I lived in DFW for seven years and never been there?! My friend and I spent the day strolling through the gardens, pretending to know all about the plants (spoiler: we didn’t). We admired God’s handiwork—though I might’ve been secretly trying to sneak a few plants home in my purse. As we walked, we caught up on each other’s lives, shared how the Lord had been moving in our hearts, and talked about things we were learning. We shared updates on key areas we were interceding for and spent time reflecting on the blessings God had given us. The entire time, we felt the presence of God with us. Jesus was walking beside us, listening to our conversations, and guiding our hearts. We truly felt His pleasure over us and our friendship as we marveled at the beauty around us. I couldn’t help but think of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

A few days after that, I spent time with another best friend of mine. We went on a picnic and spent hours asking each other questions from the "We’re Not Really Strangers" Friendship Edition deck. This wasn’t just small talk; we shared our hearts, our dreams, our struggles, and the deeper things we often don’t get to discuss in the busyness of life. We prayed for each other, reflecting on God’s faithfulness and how He’s been shaping us. The purpose of that picnic was to deepen our friendship in a way that goes beyond casual hangouts. It was about strengthening the spiritual bond we share, creating space to pray together, and allowing God to speak into our lives through one another. Friendships are more than just enjoyable company; they are meant to help us grow in our faith. The entire time, it was clear that God was with us. This picnic was a moment to experience God's presence in the context of friendship, reinforcing how important it is to nurture our relationships with others who encourage us toward Christ.

For a long time, I walked with Christ alone, and let me tell you, it wasn’t fun. It was like trying to run a marathon with no shoes, no water, and no idea where the finish line was. There were seasons when I felt isolated, struggling to carry spiritual burdens alone. I prayed for people who would walk with me in faith, share my burdens, and call me out when I’m being a little dramatic (yes, I have a flair for the dramatic sometimes). And guess what? God totally answered that prayer—and now I’m surrounded by wonderful friends who don’t mind hearing me talk about my feelings for hours. Praise God for that!

But here’s the thing—praying for godly friendships is just step one. Step two? You’ve got to work for them. Like, real effort. Friendships aren’t like plants where you water them once and expect them to thrive. It takes effort, time, and a lot of intentionality. Over the years, I’ve learned that stewarding relationships well means investing in them consistently, seeking Holy Spirit for wisdom, and being intentional about being present for one another in both the good and challenging seasons.

I prayed and prayed for Kingdom friendships, and then one day, I blinked, and suddenly, I had a whole crew of amazing, godly women. It went from “Lord, please send me friends” to “Wow, Lord, you’ve got me surrounded, I hope I’m doing this friendship thing right!” And I had a moment where I thought, “Am I prepared for this many friends? Is there a handbook I missed?” Like, honestly, it felt like I was just thrown into a friendship Olympics, and I didn’t even know the rules. 😂

It took time for me to learn how to steward each of my friends in a way that pleases the Lord and honors them. It has been a long journey, filled with many beautiful and hard conversations with my friends and with the Lord, on how to do this well. When I say it’s been a journey, I truly mean it! 😂

Friendships, especially those rooted in Christ, require continual effort, growth, and adaptability.

In any relationship, there will be times when misunderstandings or differences arise. It takes humility, patience, and seeking Jesus to work through those hardships. The key, however, is commitment. When conflicts arise in Kingdom friendships, they offer us the opportunity to reflect Christ’s love by choosing to reconcile, to speak truth in love, and to understand one another’s hearts. These moments, though difficult, can deepen the bond as we learn how to navigate disagreements with a foundation built on mutual respect and love for one another.

Seasons also change, and as we grow and evolve, we will always have to adjust in our friendships. Some seasons are marked by closeness and shared experiences, while others might require more space or look different in terms of how we connect. Life’s natural rhythms—marriages, children, new jobs, or locations—bring changes that can affect how we engage with one another. During times of transition, friendships can feel strained, or we might feel a distance we didn’t expect. But the work and commitment do not stop in those seasons. In fact, it often becomes even more crucial. You have to fight for friendship. This means being intentional about checking in, being understanding of new boundaries, and praying for each other as life unfolds. Sometimes, it’s about offering the gift of presence even when you can't spend as much time together.

Friendship also means learning how to love your friends where they are, even if they’re going through a season you don’t fully understand or can’t walk through in the same way. It requires adjusting expectations, being patient with their journey, and trusting that God is still at work in them, even if it doesn’t look how you imagined. Sometimes, the support we offer is simply in listening, praying, and allowing the friendship to take on a different shape for a time.

The reality is that Kingdom Friendships are sacred, and nurturing them requires ongoing effort, but the work is immeasurably worth it. Friendships that last, that endure, are those that don’t shy away from the hard moments. It’s about investing in the relationship through both the highs and lows, working through conflicts, adjusting to new seasons, and prioritizing the growth of both individuals within the friendship. But this work—this intentionality—pays off in ways that reflect God’s love for us. When we choose to be faithful in stewarding our friendships, even through the challenges, we are demonstrating the kind of love and commitment that God shows us every day.

The truth is that Jesus sets the ultimate example for how to steward relationships well. In John 15:12, He says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” That’s the standard right there—sacrificial love, showing up when it’s hard, and not taking each other for granted. Kingdom Friendships are not just a blessing—they are an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love to those around us.

In the end, Kingdom Friendships are not just about having people to laugh with or share good times—they are about walking through life together, helping each other grow, and reflecting God’s love in every season. So, whether you’re in the season of finding these friendships or deepening them, remember that God is faithful and will always provide the community you need to grow in Him. Though these friendships may be tested by time and change, they are worth every bit of the effort. In the end, the reward is a deep, lasting connection that not only encourages us but also draws us closer to Christ. ❤️