Our vision is to inspire, empower, educate one another through ongoing community exchange. One of the ways we’re doing this is through our Friday Community column, in a monthly series called In Your Words. We reach out to our contributors and guest writers to ask them a question once a month.
Read what our contributors have to say and share your answer in the comments below.
Have you found a friend in an unlikely person or an unsuspecting place? Surprised by a friendship? Tell us about it.
Susan Panzica
I was at my daughter's soccer game and struck up a conversation with a mom from the opposing team. Both of us were amazed at some crazy parents, especially one maniac dad from her daughter's team. This mom was a Christian and a hairdresser. I've been visiting her salon for 15 years, and now we're working on a cut-a-thon to raise money for survivors of human trafficking.
Alecia Simersky
Yes! I have become friends with a couple of great ladies who I never would have thought would be my friends. In fact, I really didn't like one of them when I met her. She was loud and needed to be the center of attention and that is one thing that really turns me off from a person. But after a couple of small get-togethers hosted by a mutual friend we've actually became best of friends. I love spending time with her.
Elise Daly Parker
http://www.ourstoriesgodsglory.com/
Last year I went to a retreat where I knew only a handful of people. A little out of my comfort zone, but at least I knew a couple of people. When I discovered I wasn't rooming with the one person I expected to, I was disappointed. I went up to my assigned room a little nervous about spending a whole weekend with a stranger. However, we became fast friends and our friendship continues to grow. Now I'm thankful I was roomed with a stranger...and can see God's hand so clearly. He really knows best!
Chelle WIlson
http://www.treatmetoafeast.com
I was assigned to work with someone in an online community....and we seem as unlikely a pair as you could possibly put together, but BAM! we are really connecting; praying for each other, laughing for each other, getting our warped jokes and all. God is amazing!
Micalagh Moritz
https://micalagh.wordpress.com
When I was in high school, I did not have many Christian friends, and felt alone in my pursuit of faith at times. My family and I went on vacation to Florida each year to the same resort. This one year, I met a fellow Christian who was about my age. Since then, we have never lived in the same place, but we have taken turns visiting each other and have shared our experiences through college, dating, marriage, and now, kids! She was definitely an answer to prayer, and still is today!
Kimberly Amici
My now best friend was dating the the same guy at the same time as I was in college. We had a mutual friend who swore we would get along under different circumstances. It wasn't until after we graduated that we became friends, lived together, and then were maid of honors at each other's weddings. Who would have thought that 20 years later, despite the geographical distance between us, we would still be in each other's lives and our kids would become the dearest of friends.