Monday 3 November 2008

Friendship - nurture it - with your best friend


Is your spouse or significant other your best friend? Your best friend next to Christ? What do you do to nurture that friendship. Here is the list from papa's perspective what you can do to keep that best friend.

1) This may surprise you as #1 but be willing and eager to forgive if you have been wronged. Usually it is me who has done the "wrong" so this may almost be moot for mama. But I have hurt mama, and yet she is eager to heal the relationship! She has always had a tender heart.
2) Pray together - out loud - for each other - to God. This step is so very important. It is very hard to be critical of your best friend when you are talking to God. My prayer usually follows the theme of thankfulness for mama and and help me to be a better mate.
3) Communication - no clamming up! I use to be bad about that! When angry I would clam up! Now we talk - and I need to listen. Try not to say words that are unkind - especially when upset!
4) I try to let others know how much mama means to me - she is the best. I am careful how I tease her, no put downs!
5) Encourage each other - look to make sure the other is okay - pay attention!

Just a few thoughts - (as I was typing this line mama just shouted going out the door; "Bye baby, I love you!" - I just saw her out the window, go by on her bike to volunteer at church. Heh Heh, yep, papa is a blessed man - a great day already! SHE LOVES PAPA !!

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips and for the glimpse of what to look forward to Papa!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Ric - you bet - make it a reality in your life.

Annie said...

Thank you for these! I love them, and forwarded them on to my husband. :) You have much wisdom, Papa. :)

Annie said...

PS: I didn't notice the background in that shot 'til I slicked on a large version. My goodness! What a shot! Where was that taken?

Tea with Tiffany said...

This is precious and true. I am going to forward your link to my husband to read. Inspiring!

And thank you for your words on my blog letter to Obama. Appreciate your prayers and support.

May God continue to bless America.

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

rk said...

Papa,

You are teaching us good things. I know our Lord beams with pride for you. Thanks for shinging His light and sharing it with us. These things are a reflection of God's heart.

xoxo,
Roxx

Indian Lake Papa said...

Annie - I wish sometimes I really had the wisdom that I need - so does mama! By the way, mama is being a real peeler today! The church youth group is making apple pies - mama is helping peel! By the way, the picture was taken in Letchworth State Prk, NY! The 'Grand Canyon of the East'.

Tiffany - thanks for stopping by - mama is my best friend, my world. She has given me two wonderful children as well.

Hi Roxx - you have met mama - YOU KNOW Papa is blessed to have mama!
xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Papa, you are lucky to be spending your life with your best friend, but than you were smart enough to marry Mama.

Nurturing friendship means putting a smile on someones face.

Being a true friend does mean being willing to forgive, and not being afraid to ask for forgiveness.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Ed - mama is one of the best things that happened to papa. Mama and I both try to nurture this friendship.

Robin said...

Yes, you and Mama are both blessed and you are both a blessing! Thanks!

Robin said...

P.S. Great picture of Mama :)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Robin - we are blessed - we have each other for eternity - and our family as well. Mama is "hot!" :o)

CrossView said...

My youngest and I were just discussing this the other day... I was talking (listening?) to a man as he explained to me just what he does to keep his wife and children in line. The 12-yr old made a point afterwards to voice her thoughts on it to me. She was thankful that Daddy and I don't talk ugly about each other - even when we're fussing. I told her that she and the siblings and my husband are my "gems" and that I'd never treat them like rocks. Sorry to ramble - but it is so important, I think!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Crossview - my relationship with mama is so important - how I treat her in the presence of others is of utmost importance - especially my children. I wish I had done better when the kids were smaller. The children need the security that all is well between mom & dad. Any of you single parents out there - god Bless - you have your work cut out for you - but God is there and He is faithful!

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

It is so refreshing to have a loving husband tell the praises of his sweet wife. Life is so short and I think it is wonderful that you are so positive about mama. God has blessed your marriage and I can't wait to meet you guys in person. I know it will be uplifting. God is so good to us and getting to marry our best friend is such a blessing!!!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Nana - mama is there for me - she will be my side until I die - we are getting older and we have to already help each other w/little things. we love each other as Christ loves us.

Anonymous said...

Hi Papa! Thank you for these tips.

I'm going to share your post to my Sweetie. :-)

Have a good day! ;-)

Indian Lake Papa said...

This is Mama, It is time to tuck Papa in for the night, Say our prayers together and ...
I am done being a peeler. What a lot of apples we did today. Our church teens were to make 550 pies today. It is a fund raiser for the teens missions trip this coming summer. (4th or 5th year of doing this)
PAPA is #1 in my life right after my SAVIOR. I learn more about him each day and I learn to love him more each day too.
Good night Love and prayers MAMA

Robin said...

Mama - Beautiful! You are both beautiful as is your relationship and the lessons you share!

Unknown said...

if brent and i become HALF the couple you and mama are, we will have succeeded! you are remarkable Papa! truly!

and i love and you miss you terribly...

Anonymous said...

thanks for the wisome. you two are amazing!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Brainteaser - I shared these with mama as well ! LOL Having fun w/each other is one of our greatest assets.

Mama - papa loves you - i enjoy life with you.

Tam - you and Brent have a great start! LOL - you are almost halfway to mama and papa - we love you and miss you as well.

Robin - you just have to meet mama - she is so special. It took me years, but I have her well trained now! LOL

Rachel - its not wisdom on our parts - its grace on God's part - He has blessed our marriage because of our obedience and His faithfulness.

Heather said...

If it is God's will that I have an earthly husband someday...I will always look to you and mama's marriage as one that I desire to have. Love your hearts for Christ and each other.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi Heather - thank you for the kind remarks - Praying for you today. May god bless -

RazorFamilyFarms.com said...

Awesome post!

Blessings!
Lacy

Indian Lake Papa said...

lacy - it is easy to do an awesome post if you have an awesome best friend.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Papa. I married my best friend too. It's a great way to live a life, with the Lord in the center. Thank you for the tips, especially no put downs, that's a killer!

Love your heart!

Life Adapted said...

Hi Papa, this is a great post, but you forgot something - sense of humor. You and Mama both have a great sense of humor and I can see how you both love to laugh. Your posts are always filled with great wisdom intermingled with humor. I really appreciate your honesty and the example you and Mama are to others. My husband and I have been married for almost 25 years. We renewed our vows twice, so I tell everyone he married me 3 times. If we focus on the postive in each other the negative doesn't bother us much. Your advice is so right on.

Be so blessed.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Michelle - papa is so very blessed to have mama - I really try to refrain from 'put downs' even in jest.

La - mama has to deal with a lot of papa's humor. but she can hold her own as well.

Unknown said...

half-way? really? already?

wow.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Tam - you and Brent are really a great family. We have 43 years, you are almost halfway to that - not quite! LOL We love your family! Stay Christ centered/focused!

Robin said...

Life Adapted - so cool that you've been married three times - if that isn't love :)

Anonymous said...

Papa! I love you! I love you and Mama together! I love the way you love her and think about her. Your (yours and mamas) example is so inspiring to me.

I miss you both with the worst kind of missing....the kind where you've never met the ones you miss! Awful! ;-) Love you!

Anonymous said...

I love you Papa...just wanted to tell you...and love mama too!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Bran - love you too Little One. Mama is my best friend but I love my blog friends as well. Christ is my life and I want to serve Him completely.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - papa and mama love you too! We serve a wonderful Savior who loves us. Don't ever forget that!

Anonymous said...

Whoops... My comment on your other thread was meant for here... DOh...

Ether way. You have a have a wonderful heart.

Peace and Love Brother.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Carl - I am so glad that even if you got the wrong post, Jesus keeps it all straight! LOL Love you younger bro!

mandy said...

Mama is hott!
:)

She has the kindest smile.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Mandy - mama's so hot she makes Sarah Palin look ughly! :o) I am so blessed!