1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:08,480 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Love Offering Podcast. I'm your host, Rachel Adam's, 3 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 2: author of every Day Praise for Love, Learning to Love God, others, 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,360 Speaker 2: and even yourself. Each week we dive into meaningful conversations 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,600 Speaker 2: about how to live out the greatest commandment, loving God 6 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:18,639 Speaker 2: with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and 7 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 2: loving our neighbors as ourselves, Whether through inspiring stories, practical wisdom, 8 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: or biblical truth. My hope is to encourage you to 9 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 2: love boldly, live faithfully, and reflect God's love in your 10 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 2: everyday life. Today, I'm delighted to welcome Becky Harling to 11 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 2: the show. Becky is a speaker of Bible, teacher, certified coach, 12 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:37,480 Speaker 2: and best selling author who is passionate about helping women 13 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 2: experience deeper relationships with God and others. Through her honest 14 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 2: storytelling and biblical wisdom, Becky encourages women to live with joy, purpose, 15 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 2: and intentionality. Her newest book, friend Wise, is a biblical 16 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: guide to cultivating meaningful friendships and explores the timeless wisdom 17 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 2: found in Proverbs and helps readers navigate the beauty and 18 00:00:56,760 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 2: complexity of friendship with grace, truth and wisdom. Well, Hello, 19 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 2: Becky and welcome back to the Love Offering Podcast. It's 20 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 2: always a pleasure to have you. 21 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,919 Speaker 1: Hey, Rachel, it's so great to be with you again, 22 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:11,479 Speaker 1: and so great to see your lovely face, and this 23 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: is so much fun. 24 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 2: Well, you are my friend, and so I'm always happy 25 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 2: to get to talk with you. But tell us for 26 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 2: those that don't know you, and they're going to become 27 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 2: fast friends with of you, I'm sure too, So tell 28 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: us just a little bit a bit about you and. 29 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: Your life as it is now. Yeah. So I am 30 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: married to the love of my life, Steve Harling. We've 31 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: been married. It'll be forty seven years this June. Rachel. 32 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 1: We have four adult kids who are all married, and 33 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: we have fourteen grandchildren. So in between writing, speaking, podcasting, 34 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: and coaching, I'm running around after grandchildren and it's a blast. 35 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: Mm hmm. Well, tell us when you first learned of 36 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:55,559 Speaker 2: God as your friend. 37 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: Okay, So I actually met Jesus as my savior at 38 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: only three years old. I was at a Bible conference 39 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: and they were talking about Jesus as the Shepherd, and 40 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: you know, I still remember it, Rachel. A lot of 41 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 1: times parents say to me, I don't know if my 42 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: child is really understands enough to accept Jesus. And I 43 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: know I did, and I was only three and I 44 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 1: still remember it, you know, and I just knew, beyond 45 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: a shadow of a doubt, I wanted Jesus in my life. 46 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: And so I met Jesus and he really became my 47 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 1: very best friend throughout my whole childhood, because my childhood 48 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: was really wonky. And yet I just learned to cultivate 49 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: a continual conversation with Jesus as a little girl, and 50 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: that kept me sane and I believe alive. 51 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: No, me too. Well. I can't wait to continue today's conversation, 52 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 2: but we're going to take a brief break to hear 53 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 2: a word from today's sponsor, and when we come back, 54 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: we're going to talk more with Becky about her book 55 00:02:54,639 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 2: friend Wise. Welcome back. I'm talking with Becky Harling about 56 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 2: her book friend Wise, and in it, you right that 57 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: friendship is one of God's greatest treasures. So why do 58 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: you think healthy life giving friendships are so essential to 59 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 2: our spiritual and our emotional wellbeing. 60 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 1: You know, they're not only essential for our spiritual and 61 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: emotional wellbeing, they're also actually essential for our physical wellbeing. 62 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: It's so surprising. So God designed us for relationship, and 63 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 1: if we're not living in relationship with good friends, we're lacking. 64 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 1: And so spiritually, obviously they spur us on towards a 65 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: deeper faith in Jesus Christ. Emotionally, we have far more 66 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: happiness when we're with friends. In fact, one study I 67 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 1: read said that spending time with good friends increases your 68 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: happiness as if you received one hundred and thirty three 69 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: thousand dollars raise every year. I loved that research, you 70 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: know that was done by Time magazine a bunch of 71 00:03:55,480 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: years ago. And then physically it is just so staggering. 72 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: So it helps your blood pressure come down, it helps 73 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: quiet anxiety and depression, it lowers your cholesterol. I mean, 74 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 1: all these studies are just insane. In fact, I read 75 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: one study out of the Mayo Clinic that said that 76 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 1: people that have good friends have a far higher rate 77 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:23,119 Speaker 1: of survival for things like cancer because their good friends 78 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: are in the journey with them, and loneliness, on the 79 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: other hand, really shortens your lifespan. So, I mean, the 80 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: researches out there rachel friends are good for us in 81 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: every way. 82 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 2: That is so interesting, Becky, I love all that friends 83 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,479 Speaker 2: are good medicine. But unfortunately, I think even though we 84 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 2: all long for friendship and may we know that it's 85 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: good to have community, there are many of us that 86 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 2: would say that we are lonely. So why do you 87 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 2: think loneliness is such an epidemic. 88 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: I think there's a variety of reasons. I think one 89 00:04:56,440 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: of the leading reasons, actually, Rachel, is busyness. I think 90 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 1: our culture as a whole is far busier than we 91 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: were like maybe fifty one hundred years ago. Right. We 92 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 1: are in and out of our driveways. We're always onto 93 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:15,679 Speaker 1: the next appointment, or onto the next practice for our kids, 94 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: or the next school event, or the next church event, 95 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: or our jobs. And we're just so busy. And I 96 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: think coming with that is this underlying sense of hurry. 97 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 1: I'm always in a rush, right, So I picked the 98 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: shortest line at Starbucks, I picked the shortest line at Target. 99 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: So we're not really able to fully relax and be 100 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: present with people. And then there's the whole influx of 101 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: the Internet and social media and our smartphones. I mean, 102 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:50,039 Speaker 1: we are now accessible to people, you know, unless you've 103 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,359 Speaker 1: figured out how to put your phone on do not disturb, 104 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: And even then they can call you twice in a 105 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: row and still reach you. Right, they can break through it. 106 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:02,040 Speaker 1: And I think you know, we're where our minds are 107 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: just bombarded with information continually. So if we sit with 108 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: a friend at coffee, you know, we're thinking about the 109 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: next meeting, or we're thinking about the next email we 110 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 1: have to answer, or we get a text message in 111 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: the middle of that coffee and we feel this urgent 112 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: need to check it, and we just need to kind 113 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: of settle and really rediscover the value of deep friendships 114 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: and deep conversation with those friends. 115 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 2: Well, the Book of Proverbs was instrumental in your writing 116 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 2: of this book. So what makes Proverbs such a powerful 117 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 2: god for understanding and cultivating healthy relationships? 118 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: Oh, it's awesome. If you haven't read the Book of 119 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: Proverbs recently, just do a read. I mean, you can 120 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,280 Speaker 1: do one chapter every day for a month and be done. 121 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: But every single chapter, it seems, has like a tidbit 122 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: that's due that helps your relationships, you know. Like in 123 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 1: Proverbs what verse thirty two it says that the complacency 124 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 1: of fools is their undoing. Well, the complacency of fools 125 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: is the undoing of friendship. Right, if you take your 126 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:14,679 Speaker 1: friendshi for granted, and you're not being intentional, that's foolish 127 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: because you're going to lose those friends. You know. Friendship 128 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 1: takes intentionality. So there are verses in Proverbs on how 129 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: to listen and not interrupt people. There are verses on 130 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: how to handle anger and conflict, and so it's just 131 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: such a great book filled with tidbits for friendship. 132 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, oh absolutely, And it's easy, easy to read, and 133 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 2: you can always just go and get a little nugget 134 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 2: for the day. Well, you know, you talk about and 135 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: address loyalty and guarding your heart. So how do we 136 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 2: balance being faithful friends but also maintaining healthy boundaries. 137 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's a really good question. And I think boundaries 138 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 1: are essential in a good friendship, especially if we're going 139 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,679 Speaker 1: to stay loyal in that friendship for years and years. 140 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: Boundaries really are property lines, right, so they help define 141 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: where you and and another person begins. And the problem 142 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: is when we trustpass Like if I trespass on my 143 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: neighbor's property and I'm not invited, I'm breaking their boundary. 144 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: And you notice in the Lord's Prayer it says forgive 145 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 146 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: That's when you're breaking somebody's boundaries, and a good friend 147 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: won't do that. You know, a good friend will understand 148 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: if you can't text back right away. A good friend 149 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: will understand if you can't answer their call right in 150 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: that moment. They respect your boundaries. And if you're going 151 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 1: to be a good friend, you have to respect the 152 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:46,439 Speaker 1: boundaries of others. You know, you need to know when 153 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 1: to sit quietly with them and let them process, and 154 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: things like not giving advice so that you're not trespassing 155 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:56,760 Speaker 1: or breaking their boundaries. 156 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 2: You also talk about vulnerability and honesty, and I think 157 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: many of us want deeper friendships, but we fear rejection 158 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 2: or being misunderstood. So what does biblical vulnerability look like 159 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 2: in practice? 160 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, so you know in Galatians, Paul tells us that 161 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: we are to carry one another's burdens. Well, when you 162 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,840 Speaker 1: think about it, how can I carry your burdens, Rachel, 163 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 1: if I don't know what your burdens are? And so 164 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: God designed us for community and friendship, and he wants 165 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,559 Speaker 1: us to be able to be authentic and vulnerable enough 166 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: to share where we need some help from our friends, 167 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: whether that's in the realm of prayer, or Hey, I'm 168 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: feeling really down today, let's get together for coffee. Or 169 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: maybe you've just had a baby and you need a 170 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: good friend to bring you a meal, or you've been 171 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: sick and you need chicken soup. I mean, those are 172 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 1: your good friends. And you know what's fascinating Jesus' modeled 173 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,199 Speaker 1: vulnerability with his three best friends. You know, you remember 174 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: in the Garden of Casemine, He's with Peter, j James, 175 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 1: and John and he tells them, guys, my soul is 176 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 1: filled with sorrow and he needs them to stand with him. 177 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: And so if the king of the universe can be 178 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: vulnerable and not worry about his quote unquote image, certainly 179 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: we can be vulnerable. Now you have to choose the 180 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,680 Speaker 1: people you're going to be vulnerable with, and you have 181 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 1: to choose people that are going to keep confidences and 182 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: be trustworthy. But you should have I would say at 183 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: least three to four really good friends that you can 184 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 1: tell anything to who are going to journey through life 185 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: with you. 186 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 2: Oh that's good. You also talk about forgiveness, and I 187 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: think that's a major theme in friendship and something else 188 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 2: Jesus model. So what wisdom would you offer to the 189 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 2: woman navigating hert disappointment or tension and a relationship that 190 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 2: she deeply values. 191 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, So, first of all, hurt is going to be 192 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: a part of every relationship. You know, we've all been hurt, 193 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: whether by our best girlfriends, or our husbands, or our 194 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:09,319 Speaker 1: kids or our neighbors. I mean, hurt is just unfortunately 195 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: a part of being human. But we have a choice 196 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 1: in those situations. You know, we don't deny hurt feelings. 197 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: We acknowledge them, but we don't nurture them and hang 198 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: on to them. You know, we don't take the trap. 199 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 1: I really think it's like a trap of Satan. He 200 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: wants us to take offense. I can't offend you, Rachel, 201 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: unless you take offense, right, So if I try to 202 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 1: offend you, you have to take it. But once we 203 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: take offense at what somebody says and we nurture it, 204 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 1: Satan's trap closes on us. In fact, the word for 205 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: offense in the Greek is scandalon, and it really refers 206 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: to the part of a trap where the bait is laid. 207 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: So women especially are famous for getting our feelings hurt 208 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,439 Speaker 1: because we're sensitive and it's not wrong to get your 209 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: feelings hurt. What's wrong is what you do after that. 210 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 1: You know, and so learned to forgive other people, asking 211 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 1: yourself some good questions like how is it helping me 212 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: to hang on to this hurt? You know? How is 213 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: that benefiting me? 214 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:10,439 Speaker 2: Is? 215 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: Most of the time, I think you're going to find 216 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 1: out it's not benefiting you. And when you forgive somebody, 217 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 1: you're not letting them off the hook, You're letting yourself 218 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: off the hook. Because there's nothing worse than growing old 219 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: as a bitter old woman. We don't want that right, 220 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 1: and that means we have to practice continually offering grace 221 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 1: and forgiveness to others. 222 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:37,640 Speaker 2: You have such good bibical wisdom and I can't wait 223 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 2: to continue today's conversation. We're going to take a brief 224 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 2: break to hear a word from our sponsor, and when 225 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 2: we come back, we'll talk about encouragement, truth telling, and 226 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 2: becoming the kind of friend we long to have. Welcome back, 227 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,199 Speaker 2: I'm talking with it Becky Harling about her book A 228 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 2: Friend Wise, And in your book you address both encouragement 229 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 2: and criticism. So why is it important for healthy friendships 230 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 2: to include both grace and truth? 231 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, Grace and truth are really important, you know. And 232 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 1: I will say this, I think people too quickly jump 233 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: to the criticism part, and they think, oh, you know, 234 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 1: I have a word for this friend or that friend. 235 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: You really have to make sure that you have the 236 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 1: depth of friendship before you bring something out, you know. 237 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: And if you do, and you're really you've been the 238 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: encouraging friend, then you can tell the truth about things 239 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 1: you see. You don't attack another person, you just tell 240 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: them the truth. Let me give you an example from 241 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: my own life. Recently, a really good friend we were 242 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,720 Speaker 1: talking on the phone and she's like, you know, Becky, 243 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: I have noticed that your anxiety is high lately, and 244 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: I so I, you know, And she went on to say, 245 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:54,440 Speaker 1: you have forgotten several appointments, which isn't like you. You're 246 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: talking really fast, which isn't like you. And I was 247 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 1: thankful for that, you know, because she wasn't criticizing me, 248 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: she was saying what she had noticed, you know. And 249 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 1: I think because we have the depth of friendship where 250 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 1: we have spoken truth to each other, where we have 251 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: also always encouraged each other. You know, think of encouragement 252 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: as kind of being somebody else's cheerleader. Then you're able 253 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 1: to say, Okay, I need to sit with the Lord 254 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: for a minute and say why am I anxious? And 255 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: I discovered my friend was right. You know, I was overwhelmed. 256 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: I had put too much on my plate. I needed 257 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: to create more space to just quiet my soul down 258 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: and to be available for things that were the most important, 259 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: not just running around like a crazy woman, you know. 260 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 1: And so I think accepting those true words and not 261 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: taking offense at them is a huge thing in friendship. 262 00:14:56,520 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: But again, you have to make sure if you're going 263 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: to truth, tell that you have been the encouraging friend, 264 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: that you have been there as a cheerleader, that you're 265 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: a great listener, that you know how to offer empathy. 266 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 1: Those are really important factors in friendship. 267 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, it is so important to have somebody to 268 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 2: speak truth and love to us. And so I think 269 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 2: this next question kind of piggybacks on what we were 270 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 2: just talking about, because you write about apologizing, defensiveness and 271 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 2: speaking truth wisely, So, why are humility and teachability so 272 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 2: essential for lasting friendships? 273 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: Well, they're everything, Rachel. You know, the last thing you 274 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: want in a friend is a person who needs to 275 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: be the expert on everything right. That's such a turn off, 276 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: So don't be that person. You know, and it takes 277 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: humility to apologize and say, hey, I'm sorry, I was wrong. 278 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: Will you forgive me? And yet those words demonstrate that 279 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 1: Christ is making you humble, that he is transformed, and 280 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: that the relationship is important to you. You know, if 281 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 1: I don't value my relationships, I won't apologize. But if 282 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: I value them and I want that friendship to continue, 283 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: I'm going to be willing to be humble and say, hey, 284 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: I feel like I spoke too quickly, or I gave 285 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: you advice and I didn't mean to do that. I 286 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: should have listened better, or whatever it is. But being 287 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: willing to apologize and ask forgiveness is huge in friendship. 288 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 2: In today's culture, I think comparison an envy can quietly 289 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 2: damage relationships. So how can women cultivate contentment and genuinely 290 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 2: celebrate one another instead of competing? 291 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, we have to, Rachel. I mean, this is the 292 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: kind of thing where you have to celebrate others, whether 293 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: you feel like it or not. And I think it's 294 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: a discipline. You know, we are very competitive in our 295 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: Western culture, and often we compare our success with this 296 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: success of other people's. We compare our kids with other 297 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: people's kids, we compare our homes. And yet Jesus really 298 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:11,439 Speaker 1: spoke out pretty strongly about this in the Parables, you know, 299 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 1: the Parable of the Vineyard. If you haven't read it 300 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 1: for a while, go back and read it, And there 301 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: Jesus says that the vineyard owner said, Hey, it's mine 302 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,239 Speaker 1: to give out the gifts as I want to, And 303 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: we have to learn how to worship the giver of 304 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: the gifts rather than the gifts themselves. It's so easy 305 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: to get wrapped up in I want success or I 306 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 1: want what she has, or I want why can't my 307 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: kids behave like her kids? Or why doesn't my husband 308 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: bring me flowers like hers? Or why don't I have 309 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:47,120 Speaker 1: her house? And why am I stuck here? Instead, shift 310 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 1: your thinking and begin to exercise gratitude and praise, worship 311 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: the giver of the gifts and not just the gifts. 312 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: And then take it a step further, and in honor 313 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: of your friendship, discipline yourself to celebrate every win in 314 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: your friend's life, whether you're jealous or not. You know, 315 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,880 Speaker 1: put it aside. Say lord, I'm going to celebrate her. 316 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:16,399 Speaker 1: You know, I am trying to do this, you know, 317 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: both of us, both you and I speak and we 318 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: write and we podcast and you know, and it's easy 319 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:25,239 Speaker 1: if you're scrolling, which, by the way, if you have 320 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: trouble with NV, take a month off from Instagram. Do 321 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 1: yourself a favor, because it's not helping you. But you 322 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: is scrolling and you see somebody has this big speaking event, 323 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 1: You're like, why didn't they ask me? You know, And 324 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 1: as soon as that thought enters my head, I confess 325 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:45,399 Speaker 1: it immediately to the Lord. And then if I have 326 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,359 Speaker 1: a deep relationship with that person, I send them a 327 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,680 Speaker 1: congratulatory message. I am so thrilled for you. I am 328 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:56,959 Speaker 1: celebrating your win today. This is these are skills that 329 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 1: we need to develop as we abide in Christ and 330 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: as we grow in Him. 331 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that's the kind of friend that we want 332 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 2: to have. So that's the kind of friend we need 333 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 2: to be. I think there are so many of us 334 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 2: that are lonely and feeling disconnected. So for the woman 335 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 2: listening that is feeling that way today, what encouragement would 336 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 2: you offer her? 337 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 1: First of all, Jesus is the best friend you're ever 338 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 1: going to have. When John fifteen, he says, I have 339 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,959 Speaker 1: called you friends, and he is the friend that never leaves. 340 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: So he when hebrews It describes Jesus as saying, I 341 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 1: will never leave you nor forsake you. So first of all, 342 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: develop deeper attachment to Jesus. You know, the more attached 343 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 1: you are to Jesus, the more secure you're going to feel, 344 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 1: and the less lonely you're going to feel. So cultivate 345 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 1: that attachment with Jesus, praise him and thank him that 346 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: he is enough, that he is with you always, that 347 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: he is the best friend you're ever going to have. 348 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 1: And then dare to take a risk. Pick up the phone, 349 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: not to text, per se, you can text, but invite 350 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 1: somebody out for coffee. Say I want to go out 351 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 1: and I just want to hear your story. I want 352 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: to get to know you better because your life is fascinating. 353 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,880 Speaker 1: And then just be a good lessener when you go out, 354 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 1: and you will find that you will never lack for friends. 355 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,240 Speaker 1: The one who the woman who listens, actually has way 356 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: more friends than probably she even needs, you know, because 357 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 1: everybody out there wants to be heard. 358 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think there's this misconception that everybody already 359 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,959 Speaker 2: has like a big friendship circle, or everybody already has 360 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:36,719 Speaker 2: a best friend, there may be somebody else that's longing 361 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 2: for friendship just as much as you. 362 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:44,000 Speaker 1: Absolutely absolutely, and so be the friend you're looking for. 363 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,119 Speaker 1: You know, go into a coffee date seem something that 364 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 1: I do, Rachel. When I am going to have coffee 365 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,119 Speaker 1: with a friend, I think back on the last conversation 366 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: I had with that person, and I think through three questions. 367 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:58,840 Speaker 1: I'm going to ask them relative to what we talked 368 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 1: about last time, and that way, I'm drawing them out 369 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:05,040 Speaker 1: and they feel free to talk with me, and that 370 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: deepens the connection. 371 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, Well, is there a biblical concept of love 372 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 2: that you think applies to this topic today so much? 373 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:18,919 Speaker 1: I mean, I think the greatest demonstration of love was 374 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 1: Jesus dying on the crost, and you know, before he 375 00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: went to the cross, as I mentioned before John fifteen, 376 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 1: he says, I've called you friends, and I want you 377 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 1: to have my joy. And if we're going to have 378 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,760 Speaker 1: joy in our lives, if we're going to feel secure 379 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 1: in God's love, first of all, we need that deep 380 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 1: connection with Jesus. But then in order to have the joy, 381 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 1: that Jesus wants us to have. We have to invest 382 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:46,919 Speaker 1: our lives in other people and deepen that connection. And 383 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 1: so really love is the core issue of this whole 384 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: friendship conversation, right, because unless you're willing to love other people, 385 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:58,360 Speaker 1: you're not going to have friends. 386 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, I don't know what exactly where it is 387 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 2: in scripture, but it talks about the you're gonna you 388 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:06,679 Speaker 2: should lay your life down for your friends like that 389 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 2: is love, the sacrifice and selflessness. And you're right. We 390 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,360 Speaker 2: will be known by our love and how we love 391 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 2: one another. And those are the people in our lives, 392 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 2: the people in our homes, and the people outside of 393 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 2: our homes as well. Well. Is there something you are 394 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 2: loving right now? 395 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:24,920 Speaker 1: Man? I love my whole life right now, Rachel. I 396 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,199 Speaker 1: am enjoying life so much, and hence I have to 397 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: be careful, you know, to not overbook myself so I 398 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,639 Speaker 1: don't go too crazy. But I am loving the time 399 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 1: with my family. I am loving podcasting. I host the 400 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: Connected Mom podcast and I really enjoy that. I'm loving 401 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,680 Speaker 1: writing the new Bible study that I'm writing for Moody, 402 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: which you'll come out in the fall of twenty twenty seven. 403 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,360 Speaker 1: I just I love that I get to do this. 404 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: I love speaking and coaching, so I really am enjoying 405 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 1: my life right now and I'm very thankful for that. 406 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, I'm thankful for you and your friendship, and 407 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,679 Speaker 2: I know I want to stay connected with you. I'm 408 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 2: sure listeners are going to want to, so tell us 409 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:06,919 Speaker 2: how we can best do that. 410 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I would love for you to visit me 411 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,919 Speaker 1: at my website, Beckyharlan dot com. I send out a 412 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:19,679 Speaker 1: short Monday Morning, excuse me, good morning devotional that you 413 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: can sign up for. It lands in your inbox. It 414 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 1: comes out of whatever God's doing in my life, so 415 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,840 Speaker 1: it's short, easy to read, and it'll just kind of 416 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 1: jump start your week. Follow me on Instagram for updates 417 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 1: and Facebook, I mean I'm on those things, and just yeah, 418 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,440 Speaker 1: I love to hear from my listeners, So feel free 419 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 1: to write me an email and get my email address 420 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,440 Speaker 1: at my website, and yeah, let's stay in touch. And hey, 421 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: if you're looking for a speaker for your next event, 422 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 1: I probably love speaking more than all the other things 423 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: that I do, So I'd love to come and bless 424 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 1: your women. 425 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:56,600 Speaker 2: And you do it so well, and so as we 426 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 2: come to a close, would you just pray for us? 427 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, thanks Rachel, thanks for having me today, And let 428 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:05,919 Speaker 1: me just pray Lord Jesus. You know the many who 429 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:10,200 Speaker 1: are listening to this podcast, and some of them are saying, Wow, 430 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 1: I didn't realize that I haven't really been intentional with friendship. 431 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: And I pray Lord that they would take some intentional 432 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 1: steps today to reach out to a friend, to say, hey, 433 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,679 Speaker 1: let's get coffee, or let's meet in the park with 434 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 1: our kids, or let's do a lunch date or whatever 435 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 1: it is. Lord, But I pray that they would be 436 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 1: intentional to reach out. And then Lord, I pray most 437 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:35,240 Speaker 1: of all that they would know that you, Lord Jesus, 438 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,679 Speaker 1: are the deepest friend that anyone could ever want, and 439 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 1: you stick closer than a brother. And so we praise 440 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:45,399 Speaker 1: you for what you're going to do in the rest 441 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:47,600 Speaker 1: of this day, and I praise you for the new 442 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,200 Speaker 1: friendships that are going to come out of this podcast. 443 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:52,720 Speaker 1: And I pray that you would bless Rachel. Lord, thank 444 00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: you for her in Jesus' name. 445 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:58,919 Speaker 2: Amen, Amen Becky, thank you, thank you for being my 446 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,000 Speaker 2: friend and helping us to become more friend wise. Appreciate 447 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:02,640 Speaker 2: your time. 448 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:05,439 Speaker 1: Well Thanks for being my friend, Rachel, and thanks for 449 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 1: having me on. 450 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 2: And thank you so much for listening to the Love 451 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 2: Offering Podcast. I hope today's conversation encouraged you to love God, 452 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:15,639 Speaker 2: love others, and even love yourself with greater grace and intention. 453 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a 454 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 2: friend and leave review. It helps others find the show 455 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 2: and spreads the message of love even further. To connect 456 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 2: with me, visit me on my website at Rachelcadams dot com, 457 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 2: where you can download the Love Offering Calendar, a free 458 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:30,640 Speaker 2: resource filled with simple daily ways to love those around you. 459 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 2: Be sure to pick up a copy of Becky Harling's 460 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 2: new book, friend Wise. A special thank you to Life 461 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 2: Audio for supporting this podcast and making it possible to 462 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 2: find more great podcasts visit lifeaudio dot com. Thanks again 463 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:45,719 Speaker 2: for joining us today. Until next time, let's make our 464 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 2: lives an offering of love.