People respond quickly when I write candidly about spiritual struggles, relationship pain, battles with low self image, times of believing “I’m just not good enough to be saved”, and just about anything else that “rings true” deep down in the soul.

    Most people like the prospect of having a “spiritual friend” who tries to be compassionate and understanding to those who have to deal with a lot of “stuff’ in their lives — especially spiritual matters. I’m eager to try to be a person who can listen sensitively and walk alongside another in mutual respect and encouragement.

    My difficulty with spiritual friendships actually begins with the fact that relationships such as these must weather many challenges. Some challenges are: so many changes in life’s circumstances, limited energy, people’s changing emotional needs, and the distance between friends — one in Texas, the other in Maryland.

I’m eager to try to be a person who can listen sensitively...

    Through the years, God has blessed me enormously. I think immediately of my best soul friend, Camilla, my wife for 36 years. She handles my turmoils and spiritual highs and lows well. I can be a heavy load sometimes (often), and I am so grateful for the person she is.

    I want to ask you a series of serious questions. I hope you’ll consider them and let me know what you think.

1. Why do you think we need a special spiritual friend to journey alongside us?
2. Why are we so often disappointed in people, especially in their not “being there when we really need them”?
3. What does the failure to find spiritual friendships that last say to us about: Jesus, heaven, and prayer?
4. Why do you think we don’t hear much talk that’s “candid and similar to real life” on the church scene? Or do you? Tell me your experience.