How to Recognize a Soul Friend in a Facebook World

I have lots of friends, many on Facebook. The depth of these friendships varies, yet these people each walk a way with me in my life journey.Some friendships are information oriented---Twitter type updates about our kids and life in general. Other friends trek with me in the twists and turns of daily life, laugh and cry at the appropriate times, and mark my days with memorable stories of life lived and grief endured.On a deeper level are my soul friends—those companions on my path who walk beneath the surface of my life. Soul friends allow my good side and my bad side to be exposed; they don’t freak out when the bad side monopolizes my day. My “old man” and my “new man” are not hidden from them. These friends relate to me just as I am without unreal expectations.Soul friends nourish my soul. Their love and forgiveness allow a depth to develop where I can discover all that God is calling me to become. By their attitudes, words, and actions, the grace of God is extended to help me face other kinds of relationships---the ones that are more expectation and obligation focused.Most of my personal growth takes place as I walk with my soul friends. They hold me accountable in my shortcomings without judgment or condemnation. Encouragement is offered along with coffee and heavy cream. Confusion vanishes in conversations where laughter is mixed with an understanding of God, his word and his ways. Their companionship keeps me alert to the presence of Jesus and the movings of the Spirit Holy. Daily they lift me before the Throne of the One who guides our journeys.Everyone needs a soul friend.  Who might your soul friends be and why? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. I'd love to hear from you.And pass this post on to a soul friend, letting them know you value their friendship.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis