This move was our toughest yet. Integrating into the new community proved to be more difficult than expected, slower and more tedious than in previous moves. I was sad and lonely.

A wound — a hurt from days past — festered once again in the midst of the loneliness, bubbling its ugly infection to the surface. I knew it was paramount to call in an accountability partner or the wound would deepen, causing my spiritual health to suffer.

Hands hovering above the keyboard, I entertained the idea of sharing my struggle with a friend. Should I? Oh, I don’t know. Is she a safe place? Can I really put it all out there? It’s social media for heaven’s sake. Is it safe to share my heart, my struggles here?

I had known my friend from our homeschooling days in Hawaii. Our daughters had become fast friends due to a preteen girls’ Bible study. The mother had an air about her, one that said I adore Jesus and desire to live my life for Him. I had taken notice of that beautiful fragrance three years prior.

My short, little fingers found the keys and clicked out her name on a Facebook private message: “Will you be my accountability partner? I’m struggling right now, and I need a friend.”

There! I had done it. I had asked for help versus sitting in pride’s silence. And this bold, necessary step would soon become a life-changer for me.

As I sat there, staring at the screen, a bold “yes” flashed in response. It was the beginning of a beautiful, iron-sharpening-iron friendship.

Even though we were miles apart, several time zones as well, Suzi and I drew close in a friendship that continues to honor God to this day. She is truly the iron that sharpens my iron.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” {Proverbs 27:17, NLT}

Living miles apart isn’t a bother. My friend is intentional and keeps in touch daily. She is the fragrance of Christ to the stench of my loneliness.

Her outreach, this ministry of friendship, sharpens me in several ways. Any of us can grab from this wisdom and use it to sharpen another’s life.

My iron-sharpening-iron friend messages her Bible study notes daily. When I feel as though God is distant, my friend begs to differ. She brings the aroma of Christ to my message board each morning. And she prays over me . . . without my request. It’s a lifeline.

Loneliness causes some of us to crawl into our little corner, all by ourselves. We suffer silently, refusing to ask for help, or, at minimum, find it difficult. Keeping us isolated, thirsty, and tired on our one-man-island is an effective tactic of darkness. Suzi refuses to allow loneliness its hold.

She’ll ask daily, “How are you doing?” Those conversations, albeit via clicks on the keyboard, whisk away the loneliness. I have a friend.

She is honest, calling “lies” lies, and truth “truth.” If I am being ridiculous, she will tell me so, in love of course. Get over it already, will you? is one phrase that has left a huge impact. It was a life changer, a bandage to my festering wound.

Suzi texts blessings and prayers to me periodically, bringing smiles to my face and courage to my heart. Above all, she is diligent and proactive in her daily outreach to me. Our friendship has become her ministry — beautiful and aromatic like a plumeria plant in blossom. She is the fragrance of Christ in action. And surprisingly, this ministry of friendship has become mine as well.

True friends sharpen friends, their countenance, their walk, their day. The beauty of a sharpened friend cuts through life with truth, strength, and love, releasing the fragrance of Christ to the surrounding air. Their iron encourages and says you can do this. Its steadfastness is a reminder to drink from the Lord’s strength.

Friendship is a ministry in and of itself, and it is beautiful. And an iron-sharpening-iron friendship? It’s life-changing, and it’s for God’s glory.

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Related:  Enjoy time with a friend and serve her a cup of coffee in this inspirational mug . . . when your mugs are empty, your hearts are full.

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