Barbara Ann Repan

Sharing Hope that Anchors the Soul

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Blog
    • Gratitude
    • Hope is our Anchor
    • Hopeless to HopeFull
    • Life
    • Moving On
    • Purpose
    • Recipes
    • Simple Truth to Anchor our soul
  • Cancer Journey
  • Book Reviews
  • Writing
  • Contact

What Makes a Friendship Last

May 17, 2017 by Barbara

Lisa-Jo Baker unpacks this in her new book.  I have learned so much about myself, and women and their friendships. While reading Never Unfriended, I was challenged in how to be a trusting, faithful friend. It’s not easy. I’m busy with life just as everyone else is. My friend Jamie lives 100 miles from me. We joke that we saw each other more when I lived 2,000 miles away in Phoenix, AZ. At no additional cost to you, if you choose to purchase from Amazon through my affiliate link in this post, I may receive a small commission.

The online world has added a whole new dimension to friendships.

With the swipe or a click, we can “unfriend” someone. I’ve met a lot of really nice gals online. Some I’ve met in real life. I recently had the opportunity to meet an online writing friend while I was on vacation in California. Janette drove an hour to meet for lunch! We had a wonderful time together. Because of our time online in a writing group and also on Voxer, it was like meeting an old friend. I’m so thankful for these opportunities.quote

There are many women out there who are hurting because of the words of a friend. As I’ve been reading this book, I’m praying, confessing and asking forgiveness for words I’ve said to others that have left them hurting or angry with me. The truth is, I will hurt others and others will hurt me. We are imperfect, selfish and unloving. What matters is whether we work it out or write it off.

In the first video of the book club, Ann Voskamp said, “The way God changes us is through other people.” Friends who never want to do what you suggest or eat where you want to eat? They’re teaching us to forgive. Or when I make excuses to not go shopping with a friend. God may be teaching me to give of myself even when I don’t want to. God uses others to help us learn forgiveness, love, patience and much more.

In Part 2, Lisa-Jo writes about what can’t we do about it?

We can’t always have friends our way. We can’t expect other people to fill us up and we can’t control other people’s stories.

“People come in all shapes and sizes and stories and it’s not our job to fix them, use them, or get them to act just like us. It’s our job to love them.”

That’s a quote I need to memorize.

girls
Photo by Ben White at Unsplash

The comparison is ugly. It causes jealousy. I’d like to say as I’ve reached my 50’s jealousy is no longer an issue. But it is, though maybe not as much as when I was younger. It works both ways too. On page 138, Lisa-Jo mentions “private delight” which is keeping some of our accomplishments and joys in our heart, being content with keeping them private. Social media posting contributes to glorifying our life but we should be careful to not fall into the share-everything trap.

This little book of fewer than 200 pages is packed with so much good info. I recommend it to girls from age 8 to 80 who want to be a better friend.

The most important friend we can have is faithful and trustworthy. His name is Jesus. He wants to be our friend. He does. The Bible tells us in John 15. Our confidence can be in Jesus as the most faithful friend there is.

And to my friends, thank you. Thank you for your friendship, love, laughter and fun times.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book review, Lisa-Jo Baker, Never Unfriended book, online friends, real life friends

Sign up here

Enter your email below to receive my exclusive newsletter and blog updates in your inbox and you'll receive a FREE coloring page as my gift to you!

Privacy Policy

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Welcome!


Hi Friend, Welcome to my corner of the online world, where I write to encourage and give hope. I believe everyone could use a dose of hope from time to time so whether you need hope for your marriage, your closet, or anything in between, I hope you find some encouragement here.

Having been through some hard situations, I understand what it's like to live hopeless, depressed, angry, and bitter until God rescued me in His Love and Grace. In Him, I found an Anchor to keep me safe and secure. My passion is to share how He has rescued me and give others encouragement, as He has for me.

Read More About Barbara Ann

Sign up here

Enter your email below to receive my exclusive newsletter and blog updates in your inbox and you'll receive a FREE coloring page as my gift to you!

Privacy Policy


Sponsor a Child in Jesus Name with Compassion


Hopewriter button

Recent Posts

  • Journal of My Cancer Journey
  • How Emotions Help with Cancer
  • Hope Through A Season of Change
  • The Art of Amen
  • Making The Best Yes Decisions
  • Simple Truth from Watching the Birds
  • Can I be good enough for God?
  • Do you Need Peace in your Life?
  • Don’t Overthink It {book review}
  • Barbara Ann Bakes Nachos

Categories

Stuff I Write About:

Abba Father adventure Arizona attitude Beauty Bible Bible study blessings book review books cancer community confidence contentment decisions Faith family Forgive Friends God grace Grateful gratitude Health heart Hebrews 6:19 Hope infertility Jesus life Love Lysa TerKeurst marriage new life Ohio peace Prayer Purpose rest strength Thankful trust truth words writing

Copyright © 2021 Barbara Ann Repan | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM | Privacy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.