We have them. Surely you do too. But finding them can be tricky.
These friends, you know them, are the ones that come in your house without knocking, invite themselves to dinner because they know you’d love to have them, stay way too late because you can’t stop chatting, and leave an empty space in your life when they’re gone.
They’re the friends that know if they are hungry or thirsty they can get it themselves and know where the dishes and utensils are stored. Those friends.
You have them, yes?
In military life, though, as we move from place to place, making friends like this can be hard. We have had times when we meet another family and hit it off within weeks, but more often than not it takes us some time.
The effort is so worth it every time.
We look back and remember these friends because we know the blessing they have been to us. We also love to run into them again and pick right back up where we left off. Making new Fridge Friends can take time, but how do we do that when time is limited?
Fridge Friends are important, even to God. We were made for relationship – for encouragement, accountability, and joy. These amazing Fridge Friends become more like family, because they are – they are our Christian family. Hebrews encourages us in these very relationships. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25 – ESV).
Loving each other, encouraging each other. These are what Fridge Friends do for us.
Just recently we had Fridge Friends move away and it has caused me to ponder again the blessing they are and how to add to our stash of Fridge Friends.
Here is where I landed:
- LOOK – Look for those people God places in your path, pray that God would open your eyes. I have found that the Lord crosses my path with certain others on purpose. Some of these are just for me and some are friends for our family. Look for them.
- EXPECT – Some of these friends the Lord brings are friends for a season and some are friends for life. It is totally ok to have both. They each have their purpose and blessing in our lives. Expect both.
- BE – We can’t have friends if we don’t first take the opportunity to be a friend. It’s risky to step out there and attempt to make friends again, but totally worth it. Being vulnerable is key – not sharing all your dirty laundry, but being who you are. Be a friend.
- CHERISH – Thank God for the Fridge Friends He has brought to you, take time to remember the blessing they are. In remembering, we will also be reminded of God’s faithfulness in each season. Cherish your Fridge Friends.
Do you have Fridge Friends? How have your learned to spot them?
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