I love the writing life, but it can get lonely. Time with my friends must be scheduled or it doesn’t happen. This weekend, I was happy to spend time with new friends at the Come With Me retreat, hosted by my friend Suzie Eller. The retreat taught me many valuable lessons, especially the value of Christian friends.
I had not met any of these lovely ladies before the retreat. Rebecca and I have been blogging friends for a while, and it’s always such fun to meet in real life. Claudia and Cheryl were our bunkmates, and we hung around all weekend. Rebecca and Cheryl are bloggers, and Claudia’s story is featured in Suzie’s book, Come With Me
We are from four different parts of the United States. We have different backgrounds, personalities, weaknesses and strengths. Our hours of conversation were like iron sharpening iron at times, and at other times like warm, comforting blankets. What unites us is a love for Jesus and faith in his promises.
A special joy comes from my time with Christian friends. I felt comfortable and safe with them, in just moments of our meeting. I felt honored when they shared their struggles with me. My time with them taught me four main lessons, which I’m happy to share with you along with several book reviews.
Lesson 1. I need Christian friends who are a lot like me.
Holley is one of my favorite Christian women writers. She has a gentle spirit, a poet’s heart, and an encouraging voice. She reminds me of myself when I’m at my very best. Even though I haven’t met Holley (yet), I think we would be fast friends.
I have loved Holley’s other books, like Coffee for Your Heart
Yesterday afternoon the sky cracked wide and white thunderhead clouds spilled rain until miniature rivers ran down the streets…I noticed two little girls, one in bright pink and the other in lemonade yellow, jumping in puddles with looks of bliss on their faces.
This is just one example of why her writing is so engaging. Her chapters feel like soundbites from a conversation with your most creative, thoughtful, and quietly beautiful friend.
Holley shares her struggles with introversion, body image, unmet longings, fears, and deep hurts. In each brief chapter, she tells the truth: We can be brave and fiercehearted in each of our struggles, because The Lord God Almighty is on our side.
How this book is changing me:
- Others will “get” me if I reach out to them in community.
- I can choose security in the identity God gives me, not in the labels I place on myself.
- Choosing to live fully and love bravely is giving me greater confidence.
I received a free review copy of Fiercehearted
Lesson 2. I need Christian friends who are wildly different from me.
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker
We all need a Christian friend who is different from us. Jen is lively; I am quiet. She is bold; I am reserved. She is wild; I am placid. Yet I love her writing, because it gives me fresh and funny glimpses into a life of faith, along with a huge dose of affirmation.
Jen’s book is an anthem of faith for women of different ages. She writes for the twenty-somethings up through the sixty-somethings and beyond. Jen is transparent and hilarious in her anecdotes; she is powerful and kind in her exhortation. Jen says she has grown through the process of writing several books; I can see that progression from her earlier books, and it is lovely and free.
I am in the middle stage of life, the full-court press where everyone wants a piece of me. I’m trying to pursue my dreams and juggle a million responsibilities. Jen’s book gives me wise perspective, helps me laugh over the brevity and moments of ridiculousness, and even offers a few delicious-looking recipes to give me a hand. Her fun and inspiring book is helping me enjoy these busy, beautiful days.
Jen is like the friend who would invite me over to her slightly messy house and have me laughing and crying before the night was through. I can feel myself in the presence of a friend like her.
How this book is changing me:
- I’m learning to accept that this life stage won’t last forever, and I need to enjoy it more.
- I need to make time for creativity without guilt.
- I’m taking a few risks and not beating myself up for my mistakes.
I received a free review copy of Of Mess and Moxie
Lesson 3. I need Christian friends who are willing to share their stories.
Jami is a very funny lady. I laughed out loud several times when I read her travails in Target, her favorite store. She is a brave and beautiful writer who is not afraid to show the gritty truth about the church and still choose Jesus after everything goes wrong.
Stolen Jesus is written in a memoir format, with each chapter a different description of what Jami believed to be true at the time. She writes about how Jesus looked different to her as a teen, a newlywed, a mama of littles, and a mature Christian. It took Jami a long time to find the Jesus who granted her grace, no matter what, even though he was waiting for her all along.
Jami is a talented comedienne. She hooks you with her brave, self-deprecating funny stories, then punches you in the gut with sometimes difficult truths. But you’re willing to receive the punches, because Jami is like a friend you admire because they aren’t afraid to tell it like it is.
My heart broke for her when she shared the rejection of her teen years, at the hands of other Christians. I ached for her in her struggles as a foster mom. My heart rejoiced with her when she finally accepted that God loves her unconditionally, without any effort on her part.
How this book is changing me:
- I’m thinking about how Jesus looked to me in the past.
- I am recognizing the lies that I’ve told myself.
- I’m considering how the church has both hurt and healed me at different times.
I received a free review copy of Stolen Jesus
Lesson 4. I need Christian friends who teach me about Jesus.
Come With Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus
Suzie is one of the most generous people I know, as a writer, teacher, and real-life friend. Her heart loves to minister to women and encourage them in their faith. I am honored to have spent the weekend at her retreat in Oklahoma.
Currently I am leading both a live and an online study of Suzie’s book, Come With Me. Her devotional is a perfect supplement for this powerful book about following Jesus.
The Come With Me Devotional has 260 brief, beautiful devotions about following Jesus more closely. You could read one day at a time, or read a few at a time, which is my preference. The entire book is based on the gospel of Luke. It will take you into a deep, rewarding study of those scriptures, one verse at a time.
Suzie is skilled at sharing new scriptural insight along with powerful personal application. That’s why I am a fan of her blog and of her other books, like The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places
Here’s an excerpt of the devotional Suzie spoke on this weekend (142 in the book):
Jesus calls us to live a salty life, not one that blends in. May we live so salty that it pours generously over our home and those who abide within its walls. May it bring savor and restorative properties to our relationships.
How this book is changing me:
- I’m seeing a familiar gospel in brand-new ways.
- I am learning that Jesus loves me more than I ever really understood.
- I’m focusing on praying just to Jesus more frequently, to deepen our relationship.
I received a free, autographed copy of Come Wit
Questions for you:
- How do your Christian friendships help you give and receive blessings?
- Which books have taught you how to be a better friend?
- Which book in this list looks most interesting to you, and why?
Disclosure: Some of the above links are affiliate links.
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Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links.
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