True friends are priceless blessings! Even though maintaining these relationships can be inconvenient, it is important to make time for bonding!
Because I work from home, there are days when I feel like the walls are going to close in around me. During those moments, conversations with friends over Facebook Messenger help me move past my stress. In fact, I just spoke to a friend who is having a rough day, and I hope I was able to lift her spirits a bit. I am thankful for the joy that comes from a simple discussion with someone who loves you.
A little over three years ago, I was sitting in Bible study when a familiar feeling of grief and sadness came over me. It was during the 2013 baby boom season in our church, and the lady next to me had just announced her pregnancy. After the study was over, another pregnant lady walked over to chat with her about it. As I sat there, I became more and more overwhelmed by grief. Suddenly, all l could do was grab my purse and run to my car. I wondered if the crying would ever stop or if the pain would ever heal.
“It is not fair! Why am I the only one who isn’t conceiving? Why does everyone else get to know that joy? I feel so left out!”
Shortly after my abrupt departure, a friend texted to check on me. I gave her a quick explanation of why I ran, and before I knew it, she was at my front door with a bouquet of flowers. She did not stay, but she took a moment out of her day to let me know I was not alone.
It is friends like her who get us through the day sometimes.
A Benefit to Eric
When couples get married, they often let their other relationships slide. It happens for any number of reasons. Some become enamored with their new life. Others get busy due to added responsibilities. It is natural for couples to be less available in the first few months of marriage, but I would encourage everyone to remember and invest in their friends at every stage of life.
Eric is a wonderful man, but there is no way he can be everything I need all the time. He is only one person. My friends help me process emotions, help me think through irrational concerns, and make me laugh. Eric only stands to benefit from this.
So, it is for these reasons that I would encourage you to encourage your sweetheart to spend time with quality friends. Unless they are damaging your relationship, choose to see these people as a benefit to you instead of a barrier between you and your sweetheart’s time. At this stage in your relationship, you may want to spend every waking hour together; but, the day is coming when you will be glad he or she has an outlet. Trust me!
Keep Proper Priorities
As with everything in marriage, we have to prioritize wisely. If we do not, our relationship will suffer. Many times, I have prioritized friends over Eric, and it did not bode well for us. But, when I am careful to keep Eric first and friends second, these allies bless our relationship.
Your sweetheart’s friends may become some of your greatest assets. You cannot be everything for your partner, no matter how good your intentions may be; but, a good friend might just pick up the slack!
Getting coffee, chatting at the beach, and taking long walks with friends significantly brightens my days, and when my day is brighter, then Eric’s day is bound to be brighter too. ~smile~
Are you jealous of your sweetheart’s friends or are you thankful for them?
Picture: iStockPhoto/Ondine32