Life, Love, & Laughter: Encouraging Ways To Enjoy Friendship
"Friendship doubles joy and halves griefs."
~Francis Bacon~
"A cheerful heart is good medicine." ( Proverbs 17:22 )
Friendships are about more than conversations, they are also about enjoying what life has to offer together.
When was the last time you did something fun with a friend? Was it last week? Last month? Last year?
A little fun is good as well as healthy for our friendships.
How do we enjoy our relationships with others? How do we have fun with an acquaintance? A friend? Soul Mates?
Acquaintances are those we see occassionally. These are people we talk to on a surface level, not an intimate level. We may or may not know their names or much of their interests.
Ways to have fun interaction with our acquaintances may be some of the following: ( Ladd & Kelly, 84 )
*Inviting that particular person to join you for a quick snack or bite to eat.
*Arrange luncheons upon a casual meeting for the next day or some time later on that week. ( Ladd & Kelly, 84 )
Also keep eyes and ears open to any possible new friendship oppertunities. When making friends, apply the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would like to have done unto you."
What about friends? Good friends?
Ways to have fun interaction with friends/good friends may be some of these: ( Ladd & Kelly, 87 )
*Arrange a picnic day and split the responsibilities for food/stop by a local resteraunt for takeout.
*Exchange or share recipes and cook together
*Sale watch: call or notify a friend of a specail sale and keep eyes out for sales of particular items he/she may like.
*Holiday Cheer, make your friend a part of your holiday festivities. ( Ladd & Kelly, 87 )
What about Soul Mates?
Soul mates are often the people we take for granted. This could be because we know they are going to do their best to make sure of it that they are always there for us and love us unconditionally. Soul Mates are so truly rare and unique though that it is truly nurturing that we find a way to do something specail with them and let them know they are appreciated too.
The following are some fun ways to interact with our Soul Mates: ( Ladd & Kelly, 92 & 93 )
*Weekend Getaway arrange a weekend out with these specail friends/this specail friend and take some time out to do things that you like and can enjoy together.
*After-The-Storm Regrouping spend time with your soul mate/soul mates when in the process of healing or getting through difficult times. ( Ladd & Kelly, 92 & 93 )
When we make it a priority to spend time with and make friends we are imitating our Lord, Jesus Christ. Even Jesus was one who was known to be sociable. In Scripture He attended weddings, at dinner with new acquaintances, and even stayed in some of their homes.
In doing things such as laughing and having fun with our friends, as well as sharing in their joys and sorrows we are right in the center of God's will for our lives. We are following in the steps of Jesus.
