It’s a sad commentary that despite the many ways we have to connect and communicate with others so many people still feel isolated and alone. Some are in that place after wounds or efforts that didn’t bring fruit and even though they feel isolated and alone, they now choose to be alone rather than risk more hurt and disappointment.
Others are in a season of loneliness as a result of a change in their life or location. Sometimes a move, change in job, change in church, change in health, or a death brings about a loss of companionship.
Others still miscue on discovering companionship. It doesn’t happen in sound bite moments. It doesn’t happen in 280 character tweets or snapshot moments on Instagram or Facebook.
Companionship comes from a span of time spent with intentionality with another person where your conversation moves beyond the current topics of the day to risk unveiling your heart.
It can happen over long walks, time spent lingering over coffee or tea, unhurried moments on a front porch, or intimate moments around an open fire. It rarely happens unless we pause. It’s doomed to fail if we are only looking for what we can get.
It happens best when we are committed to another person’s highest good. It 
happens best when we do not set aside who we are at our core to simply please the other person.
We see it happening as Jesus walks with his disciples from one place to another. Sometimes Jesus is teaching a crowd, but sometimes it is only time spent intimately with a few or all of the disciples. Sometimes Jesus is feeding thousands and other times He is breaking bread with only them or washing their feet. They experienced Him in varied contexts and despite their failings, they were his closest companions on earth along with his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
Over time the disciples came to see the same truth and share it. Perhaps that is the secret to the deeper friendship of companionship.
It brings to mind Amos 3:3 (NKJV):
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”
In spite of times and seasons where the Lord may pull us away from all that distracts us to be with Him alone, most often our lives are richer and healthier when we develop companions to walk with us. A companion can challenge us when we falter or drift away from truth and the highest good he or she believes for us. A companion will listen well, but not hesitate to speak what is needed.
Companions are easier to develop when we first have companionship with the One who will never leave or forsake us. Over and over again God reminds us through the Bible that He will not leave our side if we walk with Him. He is there when others cannot be for whatever reason. And if He is not there first, we are not as likely to know companionship.
How can we be committed to the highest good for another person if we do not have love?
The Lord can demonstrate best what love is when we (like the disciples) spend time with Him in many contexts so that we come to share the same truth − His.
To know companionship is a gift of grace, grace received and grace offered.
“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
In the epilogue in the beautifully written book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, by Patti Callahan, she writes a reminder to us about grace that applies well to our intentionality about companionship:
“Grace does not tell us how long we have in our life, or what comes next − that’s why grace is only given in the moment.”
Grace moments woven together one upon another opens the door to companionship.
“When we are securely rooted in personal intimacy with the source of life, it will be possible to remain flexible without being relativistic, convinced without being rigid, willing to confront without being offensive, gentle and forgiving without being soft, and true witnesses without being manipulative.”
Henri Nouwen
We are always so pressed for time these days that we often miss the gift that is friendship and companionship.
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party, it’s always a privilege to read your posts.
I think you’re right, Teresa! It blesses me that you take time to read my posts and a moment to comment as well. Thank you, friend!💕
I love that Lewis quote. laurensparks.net
❤️
I’m an introvert and a do-er. It’s easy to get lost in projects and deadlines. When I do finally get around to just having coffee with a friend, it feels so nice. Oh yeah, connecting with humanity is okay! lol Thank you for sharing this. I pinned it to my board Encouragement for Your Heart.
I hear you, Kay. It can happen. Thanks so much for pinning. God often wants us to slow down for a few minutes to enjoy some of the “good stuff” that isn’t doing.😊
Wonderful post! Companionship happens with intentionality and commitment, over the course of time. May we not lose this gift to reach out to those around us. Blessings!
Thanks, Joanne! I agree, but it will always be something the enemy and our natural tendencies will thwart if we are not diligent.🌹
With the way the internet is, I feel like we are really losing the gift of companionship. A lot of people don’t know how to be a companion and then that bubbles over into our relationship with God.
I agree. The internet is a tool that has also negatively impacted us in more ways than we often realize.🌷
Yes to your words here, Pam, and to all the great comments above. I struggle to push myself in being open to relationships and God is faithful. He pours Himself into us, so we continually have more to give.
God has a way (in any and all areas where we may falter) of knowing how to nudge us to become more like Him.❤️
Henri Nouwen sums up your words beautifully! Grace is a moment to moment turning to the Christ within us so we are rooted in Him, loving the Lord God with all our heart and loving other as we love (and He loves) us. I can isolate from time to time, or not want to ‘bother’ anyone with my current struggles, or hold onto pride, yet it’s in companionship that the burden is lifted, never alone!
Indeed he does! Even as an extrovert I have chosen sometimes to isolate as a result of times I have experienced lack of empathy or followup about something significant I shared. Part of my growth was learning to more carefully discern what I observed about the other person before going deep into things so I could have more realistic expectations. Have a blessed week, Lynn.❤️
I loved Becoming Mrs. Lewis! And I agree, when Jesus is our companion, it makes it easier to go outside our comfort zone (I’m an introvert, so seeking intentional friendships is definitely outside of my comfort zone!) and make friends and cfind companions!
It was such a joy to read!! I hear you. My hubby is an introvert and I know the energy it can take for him. ❤️
I am very blessed to have a eternal companion to walk this mortal life and afterwards with me.
Amen! Amen!!🌷
What a wonderful commentary on companionship, Pam. And this truth: “Companions are easier to develop when we first have companionship with the One who will never leave or forsake us.” I so agree. When we have that secure foundation to build upon, we are more free to give ourselves away. Have a blessed week!
Thanks, Lisa, your words blessed me. Have a God-kissed week!❤️