Daughters of Promise November/December 2014 | Page 27

Streamline activities by mixing responsibilities with
recreation. For example spend a day cooking a
week’s worth of dinners together.

P- PACE your relationship. Trust requires time. There

is a direct correlation to closeness and time spent
together. When developing friendship, be confident
of your new friend’s level of confidentiality before
sharing your areas of vulnerability. Guarding your
heart in healthy ways helps friendships to flourish.

L-

LISTEN to what is being said and what is not
being said. Sometimes messages are mixed. Have
you ever asked a friend how they’re doing and
they say the standard, “I’m fine” but become
misty eyed at the same time? Sometimes a kind
invitation is all someone needs to share. “You look
upset, sure everything is alright?”

E- ENJOY. Focus on mutually enjoyable activities

and have fun together. Be aware of relationships
that become burdensome. Ponder the reasons for
the heaviness and resolve when possible.
Relationships are meant to enhance our life. We are
naturally drawn to those we have things in common
with. As we grow and change our friendships will
also grow and change. Healthy friendships provide
support, affirmation and fun. Ecclesiastics 6:14 “ A
faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath
found such has found a treasure.”

Photography by Kristi Smucker

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