I ran to the kitchen, wondering who was crying and what was wrong. But when I entered the room, I froze. Instead of walking over to my friend Karen, placing my hand on her shoulder and offering comfort, I seemed unable to move. I sensed somehow that her emotions felt too big, too overwhelming, for me to handle. Feeling helpless and not fully understanding what was going on within me, I watched while my other roommate enveloped Karen in the hug she needed.
TOO NEEDY TO MEET OTHERS’ NEEDS
Those decades ago, when Jesus wasn’t my best friend, I wasn’t a great friend to others. Lacking self-confidence and wrapped up in my hurt and fears, I focused on myself. While in conversation with others I often had another dialogue running in my head—what was the other person thinking of me? Were they finding me disappointing? Were they criticizing me? Stifled by my introspection, I couldn’t be fully present in the moment and reach out to embrace others as they needed to be heard and held.
But as Jesus befriended me, that all started to change—slowly…
[Read the rest at Propel Women – this was one of their top ten favorite reads of 2023!]
Explore friendship with Jesus in Transforming Love. Find it – including a free copy of the introduction and first chapter – here.