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Chapter 26 of 69

POST 22: What Do Real Friendships Look Like?

POST 22: What Do Real Friendships Look Like?

POST 22

What Do Real Friendships Look Like?

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton met in 1851 in Seneca Falls, New York. At that time, women in the US didn’t have many rights, including the right to vote. They wanted to change that. The two women led the way for the women’s rights movement in the US.

They became fast friends through their shared passion for equality. Stanton had a gift for vision casting, writing, and speaking. Anthony had a gift for organizing and strategizing. Together they launched a national movement and published a newspaper called The Revolution. They were doing some really gutsy things!

Stanton and Anthony didn’t always agree on how to fight for women’s equality, and yet, they remained friends. They didn’t allow disagreements to hinder their relationship. While they debated many things, they stayed united on the basics.

In 1902, Anthony wrote to her friend Stanton, “It is fifty-one years since we first met, and we have been busy through every one of them, stirring up the world to recognize the rights of women.” In another letter, Stanton wrote, “No power in heaven, hell or earth can separate us, for our hearts are eternally wedded together.”

Lessons in Friendship

These two women truly shared an inspirational friendship. Here are three ways their example can shape our own friendships today.

  • Collaboration over competition. When you have shared passions or goals with a friend, it becomes all too easy to compete against each other. Real friends know that they’re better together. Rather than compete for opportunities, how can you join forces to bring about greater change? Learn to celebrate and collaborate rather than compete.
  • Respectful disagreement. There’s no one in this world you will agree with 100 percent of the time. Friends will often disagree or have differing ideas. Being able to discuss different opinions without letting them get in the way of a personal relationship is key.
  • Communication and connection. Sometimes friends move away or go through seasons when they don’t get to connect as regularly. Keep your friendships alive even if you are miles apart or on differing schedules. Keep each other up to date on your lives and show appreciation for one another. Sometimes we take friendships for granted, but we can make a huge difference when we remind those who are important to us how much we love and appreciate them.

    • The Bible talks about unity and love all through its pages. When there is mutual love, care, and respect in a friendship, you know it’s on a good track.

    READING GOD’S WORD

    How good and pleasant it is

    when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV)

    Friends love all the time,

    and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble. (Proverbs 17:17)

    REFLECT AND RESPOND

    Journaling Questions

    What friendships do you admire? What do you admire about them?

    Of the characteristics we talked about here (collaboration over competition, respectful disagreement, and communication and connection), which is easiest for you in friendship? Which is the most difficult?

    What does it look like for you to be a good friend to someone this week?

    Pray This Prayer

    God, thank you for friends. It is comforting to know that I can have people to share my life with. Help me to be the type of friend you call us all to be. Help me to pursue love and unity in each of my friendships, and please bring friends into my life who strive for the same. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    SOMETHING TO TRY

    Who is one of your good friends? Call, send a text, or write a letter reminding them how much you appreciate their presence in your life.

    THE TAKEAWAY

    Real friendships are based in mutual love, care, and respect. It’s never a bad time to let your friends know you appreciate them.

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