What do your friends say about your faith?

Last week I started a series about what our friends say about us.  Based on the saying, "You are the company you keep,"  who our friends are, and what they talk about with us,  can tell us a lot about ourselves.
 

So what do your friends say about your faith?  I don't mean this literally.  If we claim to be a Christian, our friends probably would say some canned cute answer about our faith.  Instead, what do your conversations with your friends say about your faith?

Do they say you are growing in your faith?

Last week my friend Kimball called me out of the blue.  I was so happy to get her call. We are crazy in so many similar ways - and crazy loves crazy!  We immediately dove off into a wacky conversation, within 7 minutes we had covered 6 topics and Kimball was sharing with me an area in her life that the Lord is working.  After I hung up the phone, that aspect of the conversation lingered with me.  I am so grateful for friends like Kimball who know I am striving to grow in my faith, so they feel comfortable sharing with me where they are growing.  We are kindred spirits on the same journey and I am blessed they recognize that.

Are your friends sharing their faith walk with you?  If not, why?  Do they know that you are striving to grow in your faith, and would be interested in hearing what the Lord is doing in their life?  If not, start the conversation yourself, and let your friends know you're on this journey with them.

Do they say you are a Titus women? 

(Church-girl definition:  "A Titus Women" is a reference to the book of Titus which encourages older women to mentor younger women.  And stay out of too much wine.)

In 5 months I'll be 40.  I think I'm 20, but I'm not.  Even if I was 20, there'd be a 16 year old around who needed a Titus woman in her life.  God calls us to turn around and help our younger sisters in their marriages, parenting, and faith walks.  Last Friday I had such a great day. From 10:00 - 2:00 I went from coffee to lunch with two sweet younger sister-friends.  I adore these two women, and I'm privileged to talk with them our faith and marriages.  I am honored by their friendships and the trust they have in me to ask me for advice, and listen to what I have to say.  (I was such a train-wreck at their ages, that I just stand in awe of both of these women!  I love you ladies!)

If you are 30+ do you have a friend that is at least 10 years younger than you?  If not, you need to go find one!  Ask a younger women at work or church out for lunch.  I bet she'd love to have you in her life.

Do they say you are a safe person to talk about faith with?

Perhaps the loudest thing our friends say about our faith, is what they don't say.  Can your friends safely talk to you about your faith even if they don't agree with you?  Do you have any non-believing friends that will talk to you about God?  If not, that silence should be deafening.

My friend Lisa and I have different views on our Creator, but we both respect and love one another.   A few months ago I got a text from her that said her son was interested in reading the Bible and she'd told him Ms. Wendy might have a suggestion.  Heck yeah I have a suggestion!  Thanks to Amazon Prime Ethan had a youth boy's devotion bible two days later.   I was so honored that Lisa knew she could safely have that conversation with me - and any conversations that come in the future.  Lisa is an awesome mom.  She is intentional in the way she invests in her kids.  The fact that she could trust me tells me she knows my faith is one of love, and not judgement.  It tells me she knows my faith is authentic to my life and who I am.  She is too good of a mom, to trust her kid's questions to anyone, so I am so glad she trusted me.

Are non-believers talking to you about your faith?  I hope so.  If you hope to have any impact in your world, you have to start by being a safe person.

I'd love to hear about your friends, and what they say to you about their faith - and perhaps your own.