Sharpen

Sharpen

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

“I MET STACY when she moved in next door. We both liked to walk, so we started walking together in the evenings. That was three years ago.” Lisa paused to scan the water straight out from where our beach chairs were positioned, counting little heads before visibly relaxing. “Our friendship has been really good for me because we are so different. She is introverted, single, and career oriented, while I’m extroverted, a stay-at-home mom, and perhaps a little too laid back at times.” She laughed at the self-assessment as we both watched the water, recounting—for the hundredth time—children as they splished and splashed.

“What has your friendship with Stacy taught you?” I silently offered Lisa a water bottle before I unscrewed the top of one for me.

“I’ve learned that my view of the world is just that: mine. I appreciate Stacy’s perspective and her opinion precisely because we are so different from one another. Her friendship sharpens me, challenges me—in the best way—to rethink positions and to be better.” Lisa paused to take a long drink. “Because of Stacy, I’ve realized that I need people in my life who think differently, who live differently than I do. I constantly need to be sharpened, to be honed to a better version of myself.”

I, like Lisa, have grown to treasure my friendships with women who challenge me to do better, be better. It’s risky to disagree, even politely, and having a friend who can and will express a different opinion or confront us when our actions don’t line up with our professed faith takes courage. It is not easy to be the friend who provides the sharpening to our mindset, personality, or convictions, and yet, without that friend, we wouldn’t be forced to examine ourselves, reconsidering our motives and whether we are living lives that point others back to God.

Lord, thank you for women who sharpen us, women who will gently remind us of who we are in you, especially when we are not acting like it. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Call a friend who sharpens you, who makes you a better version of yourself, and thank her for playing that role in your life.