We ran into each other at a work-related function. I hadn’t seen her in over a year. We would occasionally e-mail, but not often. If she was on Facebook, she would definitely be one of my 300+ “friends.”
We sat together that night. Over the course of dinner, we had a chance to catch up. I had forgotten how much we had in common, outside of work. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed her company. Connecting with her that night reminded me how important it is to have a community of women friends.
I felt guilty that I hadn’t reached out to her from time to time for a nice lunch date. Being an introvert, it’s sometimes easier for me to spend time with my online buddies. You know, shoot them a message when I feel like “talking,” answering them a day or two later if I’m in full blown introvert mode.
Guilt washed over me. I had neglected “live” friends while pouring into my virtual friendships. But how can my online friends help when I need someone? Can virtual friendships be enough? How can they be “real” friends via the computer and keyboard? What kind of friend is it that never sits with you over coffee or a meal?
That’s the kind of relationships that are being built in today’s technical age. These virtual buddies fulfill all the Biblical requirements of friendship, even though two people aren’t in the same room and have never met. I would say it’s one kind of friendship that Jesus would want us to have…
In one of my small online groups, I was able to watch the body of Christ in action, and the hands and feet of Jesus moving. Thirteen women, many of whom had never met face to face, formed a private Facebook group to provide encouragement and feedback for our writing and blogging. Let me tell you how this community does so much more than talk about writing.
It unfolded like this:
Friend #1: Hi, sweet friends. I would appreciate your prayers. My daughter’s wedding is in two months. Oh my, I think I have more to do than I have time to do it. Things kind of hit the fan this evening. Everything is kind of crashing in…things not going right. The decisions on DIY decorations aren’t working like we hoped, and at this point, we don’t have a lot of time to come up with something that will look nice and not cost much…and that she will like.
Friend #2: I’ll be praying for God’s peace for you, your daughter and your family!
Friend #3: Oh, I so wish we lived closer! DIY is my love language. Tell me, what does she need? Want? Do you have pictures you can share? Maybe my creative side can help. I am stalking your Pinterest boards! I see things pinned that I’ve done before, and have things on hand to make. I could easily ship to you. So you tell me: What is that daughter of yours missing?
These women – my online friends – live many states apart, in separate time zones. They’ve never had coffee together or shared a meal. They’ve never met. And yet, I watched them come together to serve one another with gladness.
These virtual friends have prayed for one another, grieved with each other, and rejoiced together. About the only thing we haven’t done together (those of us that haven’t met), is share a meal. Oh, but wait, that day is coming!
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9
I can see us now, at the marriage supper of the Lamb, living out the words of that old hymn:
When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
Until next week,
Joining these lovely writers. Be sure to visit their pages, you’ll be encouraged!
Suzie Eller, Live Free Thursday
Susan at Dance with Jesus
Barbie at The Weekend Brew
Kelly at Purposeful Faith
Holly at Testimony Tuesday
Holley at Coffee for Your Heart
Jennifer at Tell His Story
Meredith at Woman 2 Woman Wednesday
Bonnie at Faith Barista
Okay – apparently the Lord thought I needed to cry today! lol This is precious Ellen! I am so blessed to be in this special thriving 13! I love you and I can’t wait to see you in July!
OH, I can’t wait to give you a big ol’ hug!! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Ellen! I think your on-line friends sound wonderful. I know that so many say we should be sure to be friendly in real life, not just on-line. That’s wisdom, but I don’t think anyone would say to stay away from media. Especially not in the context of your supportive, loving group.
Enjoy it! And make a lunch date with your friend. You’ll enjoy that too 🙂
Ceil
Ceil! So happy to “see” you today! I consider you one of my online encouragers! Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting today!
This warms my heart right up. I have loved making virtual friends. The joy and love that is shared is amazing, isn’t it? You really captured it on this post. Thank you so much for sharing this. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
So thankful for your friendship and encouragement Kelly! Love you my friend!
Oh, Ellen, I so appreciate our on-line girls group myself! You’ve made me smile today, sister. I am so blessed by you and by the others. I still remember our short conversation at She Speaks and hope that we’ll meet up again some day! Blessings on your weekend coming up!
Betsy, it was that short conversation and encouragement from you at She Speaks last year that prompted me to begin blogging weekly! Thank you!
I’m so grateful for my online and in-person friendships… both have been exactly what God has ordained during various deserts along my journey! Thanks for the beautiful reminder of true friendship; blessings! #livefree
Thank you for your encouragement Crystal! I appreciate you!
Such beautiful words, my friend! Thank you for thus gift today. What joy it has been in getting to know you through our online group! I look forward to the day when I can meet you in person. I love you, sweet friend!
I love you too Julie! I remember when you contacted me via Compel message and we got to know each other! You are always such an encouragement to me! Thank you!
I am just speechless (well almost 🙂 ) as I read these beautiful words describing such beautiful women who I call friends. Ellen, you just put it out there so perfect. I love you girlfriend.
I love you too! And am so glad we have met face to face! Can’t wait to meet all my virtual girlfriends!!
I get this so much! I have developed some beautiful friendships in the online community and every time we connect I know that are friendship is growing. But I have also been learning that real connections are what we should be seeking in our lives and so I have learned to be more intentional. In fact, I am going o take a road trip this summer to meet some online friends in person. What a treat that will be! Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Brew. I love seeing you there each week.
Thank you for your encouragement Mary! Oh, yes, being intentional with our “in real life” friendships! Have a great trip to meet your online friends! You will enjoy it so much!
Oh, how I love this, Ellen! I am so glad to be connected to you and the other wonderful women in this group and you each have blessed me more times than I can count. I can’t wait for the day when I will see you all in person again (or for the first time) and hug you. God does beautiful work. 🙂
Sweet Abby, you bring happy tears to my eyes!
It’s so true, Ellen – friendship has taken on a whole new landscape, hasn’t it?! I often find myself amazed with the connections I’ve made at our link-ups or online communities. Women who feel like they are my sisters and who know me better than many who I have known in “real life” for years. God is in it – He is building relationships and bonds, meeting us where we are at. Oh, the rejoicing ahead of us when we all meet face to face! Blessed to be stopping by from #testimonytuesday.
So glad you stopped by Tiffany! Like you, I believe God is in this! And more and more we shine His light online, ever brighter!
Ellen,
What a gift to have friends online and off ….what a sweet group of friends 🙂
Indeed it is Dolly! Thank you for stopping by!
YAY!!!! How special is this Ellen?! I agree, there is so much beauty found in this group of women. It is just united in love! You don’t know how much I love this post, because my heart says, “Me too.” My focus has been on virtual friends. I am glad you get it. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
This is so wonderful, Ellen. I have been so blessed by many online friendships and thankful for those who I’ve had an opportunity to eventually hug in real life. But I have found that I need to maintain a balance. I need those online friendships but I need to make sure I’m making time for investing in real life friendships. Like Mary shared in her comment, I need to be intentional in those relationships. I need those coffee dates!! Wishing we could all gather around a table together.
Blessings to you.
Aren’t those real life hugs wonderful, Beth? When we finally meet someone we’ve gotten to know so well! As in everything, there does need to be balance! I wouldn’t know what to do without my girlfriends here in town! Thanks so much for stopping by Beth!