Friendship By Extension

Friendship by Extension

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

My husband grew up playing sports. He enjoyed baseball and played football all the way through college. He loved being part of a team.

Me, on the other hand? Well, I’m much less athletic. I did a measly year of basketball, and I gave up playing volleyball and golf after a few years of halfhearted attempts. Although I was a cheerleader in high school, most of my pursuits were academic and social in nature. Even now, years later, I begrudgingly work out on the elliptical several days a week—but only if I can simultaneously watch TV to take my mind off the fact that I’m exercising.

So when my husband joined CrossFit, I cheered him on but decided to remain on the sidelines. I love that he loves it; it’s just not for me. But over the years, I’ve realized what draws him in isn’t really the exercise at all—it’s the people. He feels like he’s part of a team again. He teases, encourages, and holds a deep affection for the friends he’s made—and they return it in equal measure.

As a bystander, I have basked in the reflected glow of healthy community. Because by extension, they’ve been just as kind to me as they have to him. They’ve chatted with me when I show up at events, feeling out of place. They’ve read my books, written kind reviews, and recommended them to their friends. The camaraderie they display speaks to a healthy environment of mutual support.

Like Tim and his friends from CrossFit, we as Christians should model the same care and respect for others. Paul reminds us in Ephesians that we are different parts of one body, and that when we work together, the whole body transforms into one that is strong and vibrant, characterized by love. Each of us has unique qualities that, when joined with those of our friends, support the mutual well-being of us all.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Encourage a friend by recognizing a characteristic or skill they possess that you don’t—one that complements your own unique skill set, making the two of you a better team.