Friendship is significant to women of all ages, but often a tricky thing to develop and maintain over time and different seasons if depth and growth are to be hallmarks of the relationship.
Into this arena comes Janice Peterson in a new book entitled Becoming Gertrude: How Our Friendships Shape Our Faith. Janice learned about lifelong bonds of friendship when a Southern neighbor invited her onto her back porch for lemonade and conversation. That seemingly casual relationship began to shape Janice’s faith and views on friendship that has been deepened by the wisdom of an octogenarian who lived as the wife of Eugene Peterson for more than 60 years.
Over the years of Janice’s life she passed on to other women what she learned through a treasured spiritual friendship with Gertrude Floyd while they sipped lemonade on her back porch. Now she has written a delightful book to share with readers what she gleaned. She points to the friendship she refers to as “spiritual friendship,” one that nourishes and nurtures.
Friendships require intentionality to grow and develop and help us see ourselves more clearly. Janice describes friendship this way:
“Good friends challenge us in the areas where we are weak and encourage us forward. Spiritual friendship takes us to a depth of relationship that enriches us both − it’s hard to stay shallow when we decide to be honest about our relationship with God and what he is teaching us. When we invest in those sorts of friendships, every part of our lives becomes richer, because we are allowing God to speak into all of our experiences.”
Janice goes on to identify and write about five elements of spiritual friendship − caring, accepting, serving, offering hospitality, and encouraging others. She notes that each of these “overlaps and flows through the others, creating a strong cord of friendship that cannot be broken.”
This little book offers treasured insights from Janice that you will want to tuck into your heart. Perhaps you glimpse the life of this woman best in these lines by her husband, Eugene Peterson, about her in contrast to him:
“While I have written extensively on spiritual theology, she has practiced the art of spiritual friendship, ‘always present, always caring.’ She is the most practical theologian I know. Through the deeply personal friendships she has invested herself in over the course of her lifetime, she has become more her God-created self in the company of others. As I have in hers.”
To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Pam, thanks so much for partying with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 28! I shared this ♥
Thanks for sharing your review. Friendships are so important. As a lover of books, I’m putting this on my list.
You’re welcome! Yes, indeed, friendships are very important! Hope you will enjoy the book when you get a chance to read it!💕
Thanks for the inspiration, Pam. It sounds like a lovely book and I pray that I can be that kind of friend.
Blessings to you and Happy New Year.
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Thanks, Marva! It is a delightful 124 page read. I am sure you will bless many with such a goal to be that kind of friend.😊
The art of true friendship has become so watered down for various reasons in the last couple generations. Oh how my forever friendships are so very dear to me. I’m interested in reading more, I’ll have to add it to my list for this year
I so agree, April! These types of friendships are rare indeed. Hope you enjoy this little 124 page treasure.💕
It sounds like a really interesting book. I’m saving this post to check it out later.
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party, and happy 2019!
It is, Teresa! Have an amazing 2019!!🎉
Pam, I also read and reviewed this little treasure of a book. It was a lovely read and one we all need to read. We all need a Gertrude and can be a Gertrude as well. Wonderful review,
I so agree and checked out your review as well! Thanks!!😊
What a great way to start a new year with a new book designed to enlighten and teach about spiritual friendship through her own friendship with Gertrude. Thank you for linking up with #OMHGWW
It’s only 124 pages, but a delightful read. Blessings on your week!💕
I have read and reviewed this book as well and was curious what another writer thought of it. Thanks for your thoughts. laurensparks.net
I will check out your review, Lauren. You have me curious about what you thought of it.
This sounds like such a wonderful book on spiritual mentorship, i.e. friendship! Thanks for sharing, Pam. Happy New Year!
It’s a delightful 124 page treasure of the wisdom of a woman who had such a spiritual friendship and then modeled and passed it on. Happy New Year to you as well, Lisa!🎉
I am just so eager to read this book! In fact, I have already decided that I want to get it for a dear friend who has been Gertrude to me for the past 20 years. Thank you for your good analysis here!
Delightful, Michele! If we are blessed to have a Gertrude in our lives, we are blessed indeed. I think you will enjoy this little gem❤️