This is what I DON’T want in a friend:
I don’t want friends who wear only the latest fashions and walk boldly through life with nary a trip in their stilettos. I don’t want friends who are up on all the latest gossip and eager to hear what I have to share so they can run off and tell others. I don’t want friends who know how to put on the perfect face – whether that is with loads of makeup or a fake smile to hide the pain that lies beneath. I don’t want friends who rock the latest hairstyles without one ounce of wilt – EVER – and look sexy in selfies taken when they first wake up in the morning.
Now while all that is a bit of an exaggeration it’s no secret that over the years I’ve had my share of rejection and betrayed confidences that kept me leery of developing deep female friendships. Part of the rejection I felt was real because, let’s face it, there are real cliques among women – even The Women of The Church . . .EEEK! But part of my feeling of being left out was my own insecurity and belief that I was “not enough.”
Those of you who know my story know that God has done a great work of healing in my life. He has erased the shame, guilt, and condemnation that I carried with me daily and set me free to tell others who I really am instead of hiding behind my “Perfect Patti” moniker. He has restored me to being the person He first created me to be – before the mistakes of a life (not so) well lived. Hallelujah!
The purpose of today’s post is to share a Podcast that my friend Holly recently taped. It is a conversation between four friends. Two of us, Debbie and I, have been friends for years. The other two, Holly and Mary also have a long standing friendship. The four of us together have been developing a bond ever since we met ten months ago at the Allume writer’s conference.
This Podcast was taped last month when we had a REAL LIFE meetup in Pigeon Forge, TN. In it you will hear a bit about our time together, what we’ve been reading lately, and how Mary loves to get her dancin’ feet on. You’ll also hear about other Podcasts we’ve been listening to and the experience of hearing for the first time the voice of someone you’ve admired as a writer and saying, “Awww . . . that’s just the way I thought she’d sound,” -OR- maybe, simply, “Oh MY!”
I hope you’ll take the time to turn up the volume and listen while you go about your daily chores. It will make the time fly and possibly give you a much needed chuckle today.
Click on Holly’s picture below to listen to the Podcast! I’ve also shared links below to Mary and Debbie’s websites.
Holly Barrett – Living a Redeemed Life
These friends are truly for me and for one another - Holly Barrett Click To Tweet
Mary Geisen – Passage Through Grace
I see redemption in the beautiful gift of grace - Mary Geisen Click To Tweet
Debbie Kitterman – Dare 2 Hear
We have to be for one another - Debbie Kitterman Click To Tweet
After you listen I hope you’ll take the time to visit and share the love.
Blessings friends, because you ARE my friends, and so very dear to my heart,
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStoryMaking Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking,SmallWonder, LifeGivingLinkup, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story, IntentionalTuesday
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy, Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, PartyAtMyPlace, 100HappyDays, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet