Kristin Saatzer

Purposeful Encouragement

  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Books I Love
  • Savor the Savior Book
  • Hear The Savior Book
You are here: Home / Archives for Pride

Needing and Being a Friend

May 21, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 3 Comments

20150430-Saatzer-NeedingFriend

“A friend loves at all times.” {Proverbs 17:17, NKJV}

“I know you’re depressed; don’t try to deny it. I’ll be praying for you; call me if you need me. Or call someone.”

Tossing the phone, I crumpled to the floor. Crushed by Kathy’s words.

She saw through me. I thought my got-it-all-together act was working. Not with this friend, not anymore. Could anyone else suspect the heartache inside my soul too?

Why did I feel the need to hide this dreary secret? Pride, I suppose. I had presented a picture of my world as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, church member, and Christian who had it all going on. Thinking if I revealed my true self, others may see me as weak and view my faith shaky.

After all, sad people came to me for help. I was the burden barer not the burden sharer. A church leader for goodness’ sake.

However, this life of mine had become an act. I barely made it through each day. I cried myself to sleep each night. Absurdly denying the truth to myself day after day after day. Depression was taking over as my chemical imbalance gained speed with each passing week.

Kathy’s words pricked at my heart. I sensed Gods nudging: It is time to break down your walls. You need a friend to help you.

Picking myself up off the ground, I inhaled a breath of courage and decided to tell someone about my profound sadness. And there it began.

I chose Kimberly, the right friend for the job. Sitting together at dinner, I experienced immense release in the telling as tears dropped on the table between us.

After this initial step, I took a few more — including seeking medical help.

On this healing road, I learned an unexpected thing: Needing a friend can sometimes mean being a friend.

I found it surprising that Kimberly appeared almost happy to hear my struggles. No, that’s not quite right, she was pleased and touched that I came to her baring my heart. I felt my veneer split, adding depth to our relationship by showing my sweet friend I trusted in her worth, by revealing my true, messed–up self.

My pride survived the telling as God humbled me graciously, yet strengthened me too, all in the course of one citrus-salad dinner.

Holding on to my nerve, I sought more support by reaching out to other real and vulnerable women. Admirable (chocolate loving) gals. Friends possessing deep and authentic faith who desired to be there for me.

I landed in their sweet place of acceptance and unconditional love. In return, they received the real, imperfect, armor-free me.

Sometimes the silly armor begins creeping up around me yet again. As I begin putting on the perfect act, I remember that needing can mean being a friend. So I pick up the phone, reach out to my girls and crush the armor.

And you? Is it time to get real? Are you tired of appearing to have it all going on? Is it time to reach out by bringing your heartache, realness, or weakness to the table?

With God’s help, you too may crush that seemingly perfect but cumbersome armor.  I pray the Lord will prick your heart, dear one, let Him lead you to your own trustworthy, admirable, chocolate-loving friend.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

About Me

My prayer is that this place and the words written here will bring you a measure of encouragement, friendship and desire to live out your life with PURPOSE. more about me

Subscribe to Blog and Updates

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Instagram

A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/16
Baseball team dinner with the BEST boys. 🤎💛
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Baseball team dinner with the BEST boys. 🤎💛
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/16
🙌🏼
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
🙌🏼
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/16
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/16
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/16
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/16
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/16
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
8/16
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/16
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/16
SAY WHAT???
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SAY WHAT???
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
11/16
Happy February! 💜
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy February! 💜
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
12/16
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.” ~Unknown Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
13/16
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
14/16
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
15/16
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
16/16
View on Instagram

Categories

  • 4 For You
  • Advent
  • Blog Series
  • Books
  • Can We Talk About?
  • Christmas
  • Devotionals
  • Easter
  • FIGHT!
  • Friendship
  • Goals
  • Health
  • Lent
  • Light
  • More of God
  • Mother's Day
  • New Year
  • Parenting
  • Planning
  • Prayer
  • Repost
  • Scripture
  • Seasons
  • Summer
  • Surrender
  • Thanksgiving
  • The Practice of Gratitiude
  • Uncategorized
  • Wisdom

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014

From the Blog

  • A Time to Rest and Refuel
  • A Time to Reset and Refocus
  • Four for March!
  • The Gift of Lent
  • Hear the Savior!

Popular Tags

#annualbooksblog Advent Books Christmas Christmas Season Comfort Courage Darkness discouragement Easter Faith FIGHT Four for You Friendship Giving Grace grateful Gratefulness gratitude Headlines Holy Spirit Hope Hope series Intentionality Jesus Journaling Lent Light Lingering New Year Parenting Praise Prayer Pslamist Pslams Purpose Reading Surrender thankful Thanksgiving The Cross The Practice of Gratitude to-do's trials wisdom

Find it Here

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Saatzer