Pursue

Lauren and I met through mutual friends at a local Wild and Free book event. Even though we only had a few minutes to chat, we jumped right in to deep and connected conversation. We quickly exchanged phone numbers, and carried on with our evening.

A couple weeks later, Lauren invited me to grab coffee. As soon as I sat down, she said: “So. Tell me your story.”

With many parallels, we listened to each other share stories of pain and sickness, health and healing, perfectionism and freedom. That coffee date was the start of a new authentic friendship. What does authentic friendship look like for Lauren?

Right now authentic friendship looks like connecting with other vibrant, creative women throughout the Indianapolis area that God has led me to. I’ve met some truly inspiring women that I’m now proud to call friends through mutual friends and blind coffee dates. God has given me a passion and vulnerability to pursue people that cause me to come alive, and that I can mutually ignite to step into the fullness of who they were created to be. I understand I’m not everyone’s cup of tea… I also know life is too short to settle for less in friendship. There are people waiting to be in your corner and cheer you on! God is showing me the value in having a tribe made up of people in different circles, networks and churches. We’re all the church. We’re all on the same team with unique and valuable perspectives. We all have a message and voice that can encourage and change the reality of another person’s story. Step out my friends, the women in your area are wildly talented, inspiring, wise, accepting and looking for someone like you to walk alongside.

Lauren inspires me to believe that there can be new authentic friendships waiting for us. She and her husband just moved to the Indianapolis area, and she has been intentional about making new friendships.

I love her reminder that we don’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea, and that life is too short to settle for less in our friendships.

This is part of a series called 31 Days of Authentic Friendship. Click here to see all posts.