Friends have always been important to me. As a kid, I loved making new acquaintances and watching a friendship develop and grow. I honestly believed you can never have too many friends. I still believe that. 

I looked up the definition of friend and found this meaning: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard (dictionary.com). Growing up and through adulthood, I have been truly blessed with lots of friends. Some friendships have been brief because life has taken us in different directions. Some, like with my best friend Leanne, has lasted over 40 years. I have “ink” friends; those who have made an indelible mark on my life. While our time together may have been short, I will never forget them. And I have my “heart” friends; those women and men who will always be with me in my heart and my prayers.

So when my life was taking me to Arizona, it never occurred to me to be nervous about making friends. Before we moved, I remember my friend Nina (she’s a heart friend!) told me I was brave to be moving somewhere that I didn’t know a single person. Well, I don’t know if I was brave but I did underestimate the situation. Making new friends in a new city and being in my mid-60’s turned out to be harder than I realized. This proved to be another example of how my life was now completely different.

Making friends always seemed to come easy for me. As a kid, they were classmates. As an adult, they started out as coworkers or were the parents of our son’s friends. I was surrounded by people my age or we had something in common. Now I found myself in a strange city, unable to work due to my recent accident, away from my sons, my church, everyone I knew. It was very depressing.

Then about 8 months after arriving in Arizona, while I was at a Weight Watchers meeting, two lovely ladies started talking to me and invited me out for coffee afterward. The next week they invited me to join them and a couple of their other friends out to lunch. Everyone was so nice and welcomed me with open arms. God had blessed me with 4 new friends! I was reminded of something my Mom taught me in elementary school. She always said, “It’s hard to make friends when you are the new kid in school. So when you see a new student say hello and introduce yourself.” This time I was the new kid, the one who didn’t know anyone. God answered my prayers by putting these sweet ladies in my path.

Have you seen someone new at your church? Your exercise class? Maybe a new neighbor? Be the one who says hi and introduce yourself. Believe me, they will appreciate your kindness. Who knows, they may become a heart friend.

Lord Jesus, Bless and protect all our friends near and far and show us how we can be a new friend to someone in need.

“…..but I have called you friends,”     John 15:15

For years people have asked me to pray for them and their intentions. I feel honored and humbled with these requests. If you have a concern weighing heavy on your heart, please connect with me on my Prayer Request page (found in the Main Menu). I would be honored to add you to my prayers. I promise your words will be kept confidential.


If my story resonates with you I would love to hear your comments below.