This week, I had to say goodbye to two people—and it made me pause. One was someone I loved deeply, but whose purpose in my life had already passed. The other, I believe, was never meant to walk into my future. Both departures brought sadness. And yet, in their own way, each reminded me of how precious and complex friendships really are.

Friends for a Reason

When someone enters your life for a reason, they’re usually meeting a specific need—offering support, guidance, healing, or even protection. These are the friends who show up when you're lost, broken, or in transition. They may seem heaven-sent—and they are.

God places them in your path to answer a prayer or carry you through a storm. But when that purpose is fulfilled, the relationship often fades too. That can be painful, but it’s part of the divine design. Their work is done. The blessing delivered. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it’s time to move on.

As hard as it is, we must learn to release people with gratitude instead of clinging with resentment.
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1:21)—and yes, that includes people.

Friends for a Season

Some friendships carry us through a particular chapter of life—university, early motherhood, a difficult job, or a health crisis. They’re with us for a season, and during that time, they mean everything.

They teach us valuable lessons. Stretch us. Walk with us during pivotal transitions. But they may not be meant to stay. Their exit may feel abrupt, but it’s not a failure—it’s a shift. And that’s okay.

Their presence was purposeful. Their impact, lasting. Their exit, divine.

Friends for Life

These are the rare gems—friends who withstand time, change, adversity, and even distance. The ones you can call after six months or six years, and pick up right where you left off.

They love you enough to tell you the truth. They challenge you to grow. They show up when it’s hardest, not just when it’s convenient. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

Even when life pulls you in different directions, these friendships remain anchored in love, mutual respect, and shared history. I’ve had the blessing of a few of these—and I know they are treasures from God.

What Friendship Truly Means

Over time, I’ve come to believe that a real friend is:

Supportive: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Real friendship is never one-sided.
Mutual: “… but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The proof is in the actions.
Honest and safe: Friends speak truth—even when it stings—because you trust their heart.
Present in adversity: There’s an old saying: “Prosperity brings friends, adversity tests them.” I’ve lived it—especially during my divorce—when the silence of some “friends” said more than their words ever did. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Transforming: Real friends don’t just keep you company. They help you grow. They help transform you into a better person.
Forgiving: We’re human. Friends will hurt each other. But real ones reconcile. Real ones stay. (Proverbs 17:17)

Let’s be honest—it hurts to feel left out. To see people you love posting pictures of joy you weren’t part of. (Yes, I stalked their Instagram. Maybe that’s just me.)

But here's the truth: not all friends are meant to stay. Some are only meant to walk with us for a short distance. And some… are gifts for life. (Proverbs 18:24).

So I choose to be grateful. For the friends who came into my life for a reason. For those who stood beside me for a season. And for the ones who remain, through it all.

If you're in a season of goodbye, take heart. You're not alone. Your story isn't ending—it’s evolving. And perhaps, just beyond the bend, a new friendship is waiting. One designed by God, just for you.

“Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

Here’s to the ones who lift us up—and to the One who knows exactly who we need, and when.

Friends for a Reason, a Season, or for Life