Friends are awesome.
My friend is awesome.
I am sure we can all relate to the times when you have frustrations or questions wandering in your head, and having a friend to talk to about those troubles is much needed. But how precious it is to have a friend to rely on that gives sound advice- not based on bias, jealousy, strife, pride, or even just ignorance, but instead, pure wisdom coming from a heart that is faithful to God.
That is my friend, Gabbie.
She does not just listen to my problems (which is still a treasure to have in friendships- to share each other's burdens!), but she gives her two cents of advice that is always backed by scripture, even when it is not easy to hear. I think that we both have grown so much together due to our constant and complete honesty, and the genuine effort to sharpen each other in the faith.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17
This past week, I was struggling with something. I felt it was dumb and unimportant, yet it kept nagging at me like an itch I could not scratch. Sure, I mumbled complaints about it here and there to others, but I was not ready to get it off my chest because it was just an awkward thing to be frustrated about.
My perspective changed when I was spending time one morning praying for Gabbie. We were designated "prayer partners" in youth group years ago, and continue praying for each other with the same devotion today. As I was praying for her, I realized how much I could use her help. Gabbie has been there to help me with many trials before, both big and small, so I decided to reach out about what has been most recently... well,.. driving me nuts!
Here it is...
I am nineteen years old, but I am married. I do not live the typical life of a nineteen year old, such as living in dorms, hanging out with friends all the time, faithfully posting pics for VSCO, knowing the latest trends on Instagram, perfecting weird dance moves for TikTok... etc. (Sorry if these stereotypes are offensive... I do honestly wish I was better at using VSCO... Haha.) Consequently, I do not get along with most girls my age. The only ones I do get along with are my friends back home in PA, who have known me for years. As for my stage in life, I find it easier to relate to those in their mid-late twenties. That being said, many I have met here in CT within that age group seem to enjoy talking to me... until they realize I am nineteen years old. Once my age is divulged, those older people will jokingly call me the "baby" and they no longer talk to me the same way... as if I am a little too young for them to actually be friends with. Whether it is intentional or not, adults seem to have a habit of treating younger adults differently, even if the age gap is not that drastic. This, in turn, makes it difficult for me to make friends here. It just so happens that I relate to those older than me, but they do not seem interested in befriending someone so young, I guess.
So yes, this may seem like such a small thing, but it has been driving me bonkers. But, Gabbie was there and said all I needed to hear. I will not quote her word-for-word, but I can explain the main points she gave that encouraged me so much:
1. Age is just a number.
God's Word reminds us that the younger crowds have a high calling to be an example of love, faith, and purity in our conduct and speech so that there is no reason to look down on us (1 Timothy 4:12). What others think of me, positive or negative, does not matter as long as I am showing that even nineteen-year-olds can have their lives changed by Christ for the better. That results in maturing in the faith, and it is okay to look different than others in that way.
2. Be bold in the faith.
Gabbie reminded me that being around older people who think I am older than I actually am, just to find out I am nineteen, gives a gospel opportunity. Like previously mentioned, someone who is born again will look different than the world. A born-again nineteen-year-old is going to look different than an unsaved nineteen-year-old. I could be using this as a chance to tell others why I am different- because Christ lives in me! And I am to do that boldly. There is so much room for growth in my life when it comes to sharing the Gospel. I know I can be bolder. I know there are days where I have almost hidden my faith because I preferred being liked over sharing the truth with unbelievers. I need God's strength to be bold and unashamed. It is time I stopped worrying about what others think of me and remember that God's opinion matters most- a reminder I need so often.
3. Look at the bright side!
If I take my focus off of the awkwardness of this age/stage of life discrepancy, I see a chance to show an older, unsaved group of people what it looks like to have your life changed by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. I have an opportunity to share the good news boldly. I have a responsibility, a calling to be different. Rather than being frustrated with that "difference", I ought to embrace it.
As for making friends, clearly, my close friends are still there for me. I also have all things through Christ who strengthens me! Do I need to be asking for more? Surely not! Through Gabbie's loving words, I am reminded of the eternal lens I am to look through during any trial I run into. I am also reminded of how sweet friendship is, even when we are 242 miles away. <3
I hope these points of wisdom from Gabbie can also be an encouragement to you, because they apply to so much more than my situation!
Also, I would like to shout out to my current friends here in CT, who have been so loving and sweet to me, no matter what the age difference. Another shout out would go to all my friends in PA, who have been there for me through the years, showing support and love. I treasure our friendships and miss all of you dearly. I still think all my friends should just hop in a trailer and move wherever I go. Just sayin'. ;-)
If you are on the younger side and deal with similar frustrations, let me know! I want to be there to support you too. And for any age group, always remember that age is just a number, and treating others with love and compassion will make a bigger impact than you may think.
-Grace B.
My friend is awesome.
I am sure we can all relate to the times when you have frustrations or questions wandering in your head, and having a friend to talk to about those troubles is much needed. But how precious it is to have a friend to rely on that gives sound advice- not based on bias, jealousy, strife, pride, or even just ignorance, but instead, pure wisdom coming from a heart that is faithful to God.
That is my friend, Gabbie.
She does not just listen to my problems (which is still a treasure to have in friendships- to share each other's burdens!), but she gives her two cents of advice that is always backed by scripture, even when it is not easy to hear. I think that we both have grown so much together due to our constant and complete honesty, and the genuine effort to sharpen each other in the faith.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17
This past week, I was struggling with something. I felt it was dumb and unimportant, yet it kept nagging at me like an itch I could not scratch. Sure, I mumbled complaints about it here and there to others, but I was not ready to get it off my chest because it was just an awkward thing to be frustrated about.
My perspective changed when I was spending time one morning praying for Gabbie. We were designated "prayer partners" in youth group years ago, and continue praying for each other with the same devotion today. As I was praying for her, I realized how much I could use her help. Gabbie has been there to help me with many trials before, both big and small, so I decided to reach out about what has been most recently... well,.. driving me nuts!
Here it is...
I am nineteen years old, but I am married. I do not live the typical life of a nineteen year old, such as living in dorms, hanging out with friends all the time, faithfully posting pics for VSCO, knowing the latest trends on Instagram, perfecting weird dance moves for TikTok... etc. (Sorry if these stereotypes are offensive... I do honestly wish I was better at using VSCO... Haha.) Consequently, I do not get along with most girls my age. The only ones I do get along with are my friends back home in PA, who have known me for years. As for my stage in life, I find it easier to relate to those in their mid-late twenties. That being said, many I have met here in CT within that age group seem to enjoy talking to me... until they realize I am nineteen years old. Once my age is divulged, those older people will jokingly call me the "baby" and they no longer talk to me the same way... as if I am a little too young for them to actually be friends with. Whether it is intentional or not, adults seem to have a habit of treating younger adults differently, even if the age gap is not that drastic. This, in turn, makes it difficult for me to make friends here. It just so happens that I relate to those older than me, but they do not seem interested in befriending someone so young, I guess.
So yes, this may seem like such a small thing, but it has been driving me bonkers. But, Gabbie was there and said all I needed to hear. I will not quote her word-for-word, but I can explain the main points she gave that encouraged me so much:
1. Age is just a number.
God's Word reminds us that the younger crowds have a high calling to be an example of love, faith, and purity in our conduct and speech so that there is no reason to look down on us (1 Timothy 4:12). What others think of me, positive or negative, does not matter as long as I am showing that even nineteen-year-olds can have their lives changed by Christ for the better. That results in maturing in the faith, and it is okay to look different than others in that way.
2. Be bold in the faith.
Gabbie reminded me that being around older people who think I am older than I actually am, just to find out I am nineteen, gives a gospel opportunity. Like previously mentioned, someone who is born again will look different than the world. A born-again nineteen-year-old is going to look different than an unsaved nineteen-year-old. I could be using this as a chance to tell others why I am different- because Christ lives in me! And I am to do that boldly. There is so much room for growth in my life when it comes to sharing the Gospel. I know I can be bolder. I know there are days where I have almost hidden my faith because I preferred being liked over sharing the truth with unbelievers. I need God's strength to be bold and unashamed. It is time I stopped worrying about what others think of me and remember that God's opinion matters most- a reminder I need so often.
3. Look at the bright side!
If I take my focus off of the awkwardness of this age/stage of life discrepancy, I see a chance to show an older, unsaved group of people what it looks like to have your life changed by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. I have an opportunity to share the good news boldly. I have a responsibility, a calling to be different. Rather than being frustrated with that "difference", I ought to embrace it.
As for making friends, clearly, my close friends are still there for me. I also have all things through Christ who strengthens me! Do I need to be asking for more? Surely not! Through Gabbie's loving words, I am reminded of the eternal lens I am to look through during any trial I run into. I am also reminded of how sweet friendship is, even when we are 242 miles away. <3
I hope these points of wisdom from Gabbie can also be an encouragement to you, because they apply to so much more than my situation!
Also, I would like to shout out to my current friends here in CT, who have been so loving and sweet to me, no matter what the age difference. Another shout out would go to all my friends in PA, who have been there for me through the years, showing support and love. I treasure our friendships and miss all of you dearly. I still think all my friends should just hop in a trailer and move wherever I go. Just sayin'. ;-)
If you are on the younger side and deal with similar frustrations, let me know! I want to be there to support you too. And for any age group, always remember that age is just a number, and treating others with love and compassion will make a bigger impact than you may think.
-Grace B.
My sweet Gabbie!!!!!!!!!!
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