Mending Bridges

You know what is so amazing? Mending bridges. Forgiveness. Mending old hurts. Growing up. Relying on the Lord that His plans are the right plans - that who He wants in our lives are who we need.

During high school, I had mostly male friends. I did have a handful of female friends - but mostly male. Fast forward to college - living in an all female dorm. I didn't have much of a choice. (Think: shy girl all on her own in college...easier to make friends where you live than anywhere else!) So, girls I befriended first.

There was a girl who lived next door that I honestly don't remember how we became friends. But, soon we were inseparable. Eight months (or so) later, I started dating someone. That's when the problems started. I can't even explain to you what the issue was - it just wasn't good. At all. We were both so miserable by the end of it. Which was so sad because we are so similar and go along great (up to that point.) Funnily enough, too - before that - I had never had an issues with friends. Oh boy did we have our fair share of issues! Just a mess that spiraled out of control.

The following three years of college, we were cordial. Saw each other now and then. A year and a half after college, both of us were saved at that point, somehow our lives intertwined. One day, God placed on my heart to apologize and forgive...I obeyed. She did the same. Our past hurts were mended. We both grew and learned from them. We are both better people now. 

We are now the kind of friends who can share stories about anything. We can be there for each other, with Christ on our sides. He was missing many years ago. With our growth as woman and our spiritual growth, our friendship is so fantastic! Maybe it helps that we are many states apart? (Just kidding!) Seriously though, both of our lives are now parallel so we can be the kind of friend each of us needs. We can be there for one another in Christ, as well. Which is so precious and rare.

The next time you are fighting - be sure you don't say anything too harsh. Don't say anything that you would feel ashamed to say if you remembered two years later.  
 
I am so thankful to have such a friend as her. I am also so thankful that neither of us ever said anything too crazy so we would have a hard time forgiving one another. I am so thankful that the Lord has brought us together.

Never take for granted the people you have in your life. They are not only there for a reason, but the time they spend with you is so precious. Don't waste it. Don't take it for granted. Be thankful. Treat the friendship with care and respect. And don't forget to tell your friends how much you love them and how thankful you are for them. You never know what the future holds - you never know how long they will be in your life...don't wait until it's too late! 

12 comments:

  1. Very true, good friends are hard to find, so it's important to be thankful the ones we have.

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  2. Really great post and so true, as Deidre stated above good friends are really hard to find!

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  3. Thank you for sharing this blog. I too have just found it in my heart to forgive a boy about his actions to me. I prayed very long and hard to God and last Sunday my prayers were answered. If you want to read about it, it's on my blog under ....Learned lesson. I have to yet get a response from him, but it's okay. I feel good with what I did and I know God is proud of me as it has taken me a long time to forgive him for his actions.

    x's and o's!

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  4. That is awesome! I am on a personal journey of forgiveness myself and it's hard! It's one of those forgive, yes, forget? not so much. Wounds are gonna take some time to heal and will leave scars. But with God all things are possible and healing is all powerful when we ask forgiveness so I just keep walking! :-)

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  5. I learned my lesson from this post! I'm glad that you two are mending your relationship now. God works in miracles!

    -robots in trouble

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  6. Such a beautiful post!

    Forgiveness is a hard lesson to learn, but essential for real happiness, the kind that God gives (which is the best kind.;)

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  7. Very true.. I love this post Cami! It's great that you both have forgiven each other and are now again friends. Thanks for sharing this.

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  8. Cami,
    I'm glad you and your friend worked things out. Life is too short to be holding grudges, isn't it? You are a lovely lady, and your post was a wonderful way to start my week.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  9. I love this post, Cami. It applies to something me and one of my former friends went through (yes, still former).

    We had been really close friends for about 6 years, and then we lived together for one semester. We had a falling out. A major one. I tried apologizing for what I had done wrong dozens of times, but it was met with cold stares and no words (except when she was drunk out at a bar -- then there were PLENTY of words).

    I think about her and our relationship from time to time (actually quite often). It's been about 4 years since I have seen her. I always think about writing her a message or something, but I'm scared that it'll just be met with angry words again... Hmm.. Maybe I should do it anyway...

    YOUR POST HAS GOT ME THINKING! :) Hope you have a great Monday! :)

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  10. Great advice, it is hard when you are mad to hold back what you want to say, but yes, I will TRY. :-)
    WWindow

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  11. A very sweet post ~ Thank God for His love and forgiveness. Blessings ~

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