Hey friends,
We have some exciting news: we’re starting a new series here at Storied. It’s been awhile since we’ve done one, and we think you’re really going to enjoy it. We’re going to be talking about FRIENDSHIP.
So buckle in, we hope these essays will spark some good dialogue with all of you. As always (and we really hope you know this by now!) you do not need to agree with everything we write or type to belong here, or have a voice, or to ask a question. So feel free to comment below, hit reply to this email, or just follow along. Can’t wait to dive in.
Gabby + Chris
People > Everything
By Gabby Llewellyn
“I want to write about friendship,” I texted Chris last week. Specifically, I want to write about faith and friendship (which I fully recognise sounds like a kitschy mug you might find at Cracker Barrel).
Partly because I think friendships are hugely impacted in our evolving faith journeys, but also because friendship has become one of the most spiritually significant contributors to the person I’ve become today. Without specific friendships in my life, I would not have had a sounding board for my thoughts, I wouldn’t have been pushed to grow, I wouldn’t have had the courage to make the changes I’ve needed to make this last decade.
I say this without any drama and from the sincerest place in my heart: my friendships have saved my life. And it’s because of that, I’ve spent a lot of my time and energy over the years trying to become the kind of friend who makes people’s lives better.
Now I’ll be the first to admit, I have often got it wrong. I know there are people who could tell you harrowing stories of the things I’ve said to them, ways I’ve acted in the past. But I’d like to think I’ve grown a bit, and I think one of the reasons why I’ve grown is because I’ve stopped putting beliefs and principles before people.
If you grew up in church, that probably sounds like heresy.