Sticky Friends

Panera's was a convenient meeting place late that Saturday afternoon providing the privacy to share honestly.

Janine on a river.

At first, I didn’t recognize her with her hair pulled back, baseball cap in place, and dressed like she just came off the river—which she had.

My friend is also a fishing guide.

I needed her wisdom. And her full day of fly fishing didn’t keep her from our time.

My story poured out; she listened. When my words quieted, she asked. Her perceptive questions caused me to see another way. It was good. 

Floating is an apt descriptor of how I felt as the door of Panera's closed behind us.

Janine-standing on left; me-seated on right.

I arrived tied in a metaphorical knot; I left with the ropes falling off—a free woman once again.

I arrived with a plan. A plan meant to offer significance to my insecure self. But even I knew the plan was faulty and I couldn’t figure how to fix it. 

A sticky friend was the need. 

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”                      Proverbs 18:24

A bit of re-writing and that scripture describes my friend, A woman of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a girl-friend who sticks closer than a sister. 

Janine and I talking with another.

I could have sought the counsel of many; I chose the wisdom of one—my sticky friend. SF and I trekked this mountain before.

Not sure who is Janine and who is me. 

My sticky friend is a friend I can trust with me. She is not surprised or scared by my crazy thoughts. In the midst of reality, I experience her friendship in stronger ways. She pulls closer to me and walks with me through my faulty thinking. She facilitates untying the knots and celebrates the falling ropes.

As I experience her love and wisdom, I know I have found a Proverbs 18:24 friend. Even in knowing the worst about me, she loves and pulls closer. She doesn’t empathize; she walks me into the Truth. 

Yes, I have many other friends and yes I have other sticky friends—often my husband is the one I go to. Because you are reading these words, I am trusting you with a piece of me. Thank you for listening. 

Have you identified your sticky friends? You are blessed if you have.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”                                       John 15:13