Welcome to my NEW Blog Series: Two Paths, One Savior: Conversations with Glory / Friendship and Connection, Week 7 – Final Post of 7/7
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About the Series: This new series shares the story of my friendship with Glory. She is Nigerian, and I am from the United States, yet God tied our hearts together in a beautiful way. We met at a Bible study in Lagos, Nigeria, and her love for Jesus was clear from the very first day.
Glory later moved to Canada, and during a recent visit, I interviewed her about her life and faith. I’ll be sharing one topic each week:
Week 1 – Our Connection and Story: greenepastures.org/two-paths-one-savior-week-1/
Week 2 – Early Life and Faith: greenepastures.org/two-paths-one-savior-conversations-with-glory-early-life-and-faithweek-2/
Week 3 – Journey and Calling: Two Paths, One Savior: Conversations with Glory / Journey and Calling, Week 3 by Patti Greene | Greene Pastures by Patti Londa Greene
Week 4 – Singleness and Ministry: greenepastures.org/singleness-and-ministry/
Week 5 – Writing and Ministry Together: greenepastures.org/writing-and-minstry-together/
Week 6 – Reflection & Encouragement: greenepastures.org/reflection-and-encouragement
Week 7 – Friendship and Connection: greenepastures.org/friendship-and-connection
Q. What does our friendship mean to you personally and spiritually?
A. Personally and spiritually, our friendship means a lot to me because I see it as a gift from God that came at a time I needed it — even before I realized how much I needed it to get through the season I was facing. I’m very thankful to God for our relationship. I am encouraged. I am blessed. It has been such a gift to know that I have you in my life, and that I get to share my walk, my challenges, my fears — and share in yours.
It’s encouraging to know you have someone who truly knows you and whom you truly know. Someone who sees beyond what everyone else sees on social media. Someone who understands where you’re coming from and what you’re dealing with. Someone whose heart for God you trust so deeply that when they speak into your life, your guard is down and you receive it because you know their heart toward God is pure.
There is nothing like a relationship orchestrated by God. You can trust their heart for God and their heart for you because you know there are no selfish interests — they truly care. You can afford to be “naked and unashamed” concerning your life and your journey with this person. That is rare. It’s not something you find every day. It is a gift from God, and whoever finds such a friendship should value and honor it.
And ours is unique because it’s not just friendship — it’s also the mother‑daughter, mentor‑mentee element. It is a unique gift many people do not have and most likely need, because we all need connections that give us opportunities to serve and be served, to mentor and be mentored, to pour into others and be refilled.
I know I’ve lived through seasons when I didn’t think I needed friends. I was happy to be alone. I was okay being alone because I felt friendship was such a burden — until I learned that God didn’t create us to do life alone. We know God is always present with us, and sometimes He makes His presence known through connections and relationships — a physical voice that reminds us of what God has spoken concerning us, of what He is doing in our lives that we may not be able to see because of what we’re going through.
Most importantly, we need God. And we need God‑ordained connections and relationships — that’s how He created us. I’m so grateful that I got to share that with you, and that we will have fun doing it.
Q. How has God used our relationship in your life?
A. God has used our relationship to bless me, encourage me, and hold me together through the years. I do not feel like I must do life alone because I have this precious connection that ministers to me not just spiritually but also physically. We talk about the things I’m dealing with, and you add them to your prayer list. I know I can always reach out.
I look forward to our girl trips because they are always such a fun time — a chance to wind down, enjoy life, and enjoy the gifts God has given us. I also look forward to my birthday and Christmas gifts every year.
Being a very private person, it has been a blessing that in the absence of my biological mum, I have a solid friend and mother that I trust. Every woman needs a gift and a blessing like that — not a million followers, but trusted friends.
If you don’t have that, pray and ask God. That’s one of the things I learned as I went from a season of not having friends to a season where God began to plant people in my life — that’s how we met. God brought her into my life at the right time, and that connection has stayed solid for years.
I would encourage anyone who doesn’t have relationships like this to ask God. He made us for connection. He made us for relationship. He made us for community. Ask God to bring the right people into your life, and He will. And I pray you will be discerning enough to recognize those people when God brings them, so you do not turn them away because of past hurt.
Q. What do you think makes a Christ-centered friendship different from other friendships?
A. What makes a Christ‑centered relationship or friendship different is that Jesus is at the center — not you, not me. It’s all about Jesus. That’s what keeps our relationship different, alive, and deeply relatable despite our differences.
We share one common truth that never changes — Jesus. We share the word of God that remains the same. And that truth is stronger than biology. The blood of Jesus brings us together and keeps us together, and that is one of the things that keeps our friendship strong.
Having Jesus as the foundation means we can sit together and talk about what we have in Him forever and never get tired because we are excited about the word of God. We share common values. We love the word of God. We love our walk with God. We have so much to talk about and so much to share.
And even when we are going through difficult times, we can rely on each other. We can support each other. We can pray for one another, knowing nobody will take advantage of the other. Nobody is looking for what they can get. We are here for one another — to sharpen, support, and encourage each other.
That is friendship. And it is beautiful.
FACT by Patti
First, I want to express my deep gratefulness for the chance to interview my sweet Glory. My prayer is that through this series, you have learned more about connection, faith, your journey and calling, singleness, ministry, writing, reflection, encouragement, and friendship. I wanted people to see what it looks like to live life depending on the Lord. It isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always smooth, but we have a God who loves us, hears our prayers, and stays close while we wait for His answers and His gentle nudges.
Glory is not my only friend. God has blessed me with some close anointed friends over the years, and several have already gone home to be with Him. We are never too old to make new friends, even though it may feel harder as we age. My mother, who passed at age 94, used to tell me to always have younger friends because people come and go, and you will still need friendship when you are older. She was right.
Friendships do not just appear. They take time. We must choose to be present, to share our lives, and to open our hearts. Deep godly friendships grow when we make space for them — the kind of friendship where you can share your struggles and never fear that your secrets will be repeated. Jesus spent time with His disciples, and we should take time for our friends, even when we feel shy or unsure.
Many times, the first or second time you meet someone, you sense that this is a friendship worth pursuing. My advice is simple: follow the Spirit’s leading and see where God takes it. He knows exactly who belongs in your life.
Thank you again, Glory, for being part of “my interview.” My questions may not have been perfect, but my prayer is that between the two of us, someone has been encouraged to move closer to the presence of God — and closer to the people He has placed in their life. I hope this series helps others desire and seek out the kind of godly friendships that strengthen the heart and draw us nearer to Jesus. And Glory, I’m privileged to be called your “Mum.”
Bible Verse:
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. — Proverbs 27:1
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the friendships You have given me. I am truly grateful for every person You have placed in my life. As I seek fellowship with others, please lead me to people who can encourage me, pray with me, and walk with me in ministry. Help me be an encouragement to them as well.
Bless our time together. Guide us into the kind of friendships that fit the seasons You know about in each of our lives. Give me wisdom. Give me discernment. Help me live a life of faith in everything I do.
Thank You again for Your love, Your guidance, and the gift of godly friends. Amen.
For my Nigerian Friends, Life is a journey!
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Books by Patti
Coming Soon: Luke 2: The Christmas Story
Unstoppable: Go the Distance with God ISBN: 979-8284335017
Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer ISBN 978-1512760453
Bible Word Search Puzzles: The Gospels ISBN 979-8218070465
Bible Word Search Puzzles: Acts and Epistles ISBN 979-8218092696
Bible Word Search Puzzles: Epistles and Revelation ISBN 979-8363612046
Christian Caregiving: Practical Advice for a Happy Ending ISBN 978-0692115381
Awaken Me: A Devotional Prayer Journal ISBN 978-1490893181
Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Prayer and Bible Study ISBN 978-1490893174