“It’s hard to miss something that you’ve never really had…” 

This was a thought that entered my mind earlier tonight as I talked to my amazing friend Julie on the phone. In that moment I was realized just how thankful I am to have godly friends in my life. Not Christian friends but godly friends. Friends that won’t just stand by and watch as I drift away from my first love. Friends who aren’t afraid to ask me the hard questions. You know, the ones that I really, really need to hear but really, really don’t want anyone to ask me… those ones. #accountability

Well I have a few friends like this and Julie is definitely one of them. Despite the fact that I moved a little over a year ago and now live 1,000 miles away from her, we are closer than ever!

Tonight we talked about where our relationships with God stand right now. The good and the bad. We shared the awesome things that God has done and is doing in our lives and we also shared with each other the things we are struggling with.

I shared with her how in my heart I know that I have not been being 100% faithful to God. Sometimes (*cough* many times) lately I have found myself forsaking prayer and time in God’s presence for other worthless things. Not necessarily bad things but definitely worthless.

When I was done sharing this with Julie, she said to me, “Well, what are you going to do about it?”

Yikes, Julie! Way to put me on the spot! But this is why I love her… because she’s not afraid to ask me these questions and I know that I can do the same with her (she’s personally asked me to do this for her). I love that she is not okay with me being at a standstill in my walk with God.  This is friendship.

During tonight’s phone conversation, Julie and I decided that we desperately NEED to be closer to God and we NEED to be actively seeking to make it happen! We have decided to seek God about something we can do together to help keep each other devoted to strengthening our walks with Him. For example, studying a book of the bible together, memorizing scripture together, committing to praying together, etc…

Ahhhh, what a joy to have a friend who cares not only about me but about my salvation!

So basically, the thought that I mentioned at the very beginning of this post was in regards to Christians who are committed to growing in the Lord and do not have a friendship like this. I pray that God would open a door for one… because it is SO edifying. Love and accountability working together through a friendship brings great POWER into our lives!

 And seeing as I’m talking about godly friendships right now I might as well throw in these throwback pics of  my bestest friends ever in the whole wide world… and fellow “ambassadors of Christ 4 lyfe!” (Rachel Halek, that was for you).

The Girls: Rachel C, Me, Rachel H, Abbie. (Yikes! This pic has got to be at least three years old… but I <3 it!

Another oldie but goodie! =)

“The Crew”… A.K.A. Discipleship Group