ep. 138: Catherine Parks: Nurturing Friendships after Quarantine
Last time we were together, you heard from family therapist, David Thomas. Oh my goodness, it was like a little mini counseling sesh for me and I asked questions that would benefit all of us if you are a parent! Go to my web site wrenrobbins.com to listen to that episode number 137!
This Summer has been so needed in my heart and so I hope it’s been helpful for you, too!
Today’s guest is Catherine Parks. Catherine is a wife and mom to two, and an incredible editor and writer! The neat thing is that in early May I had been praying about who the Lord wanted to come on the show to share about relationship and friendship health. It was a total God thing of how He led me to Catherine. You will hear that in the first part of our interview! I am thrilled to bring you some time with Catharine today. Here’s our conversation!
Quotes from the episode:
“What is the role of confession in relationships?”
“Our need for relationships where we can be open and honest is meant to drive us to the foot of the cross.”
“Practically, I thought, ‘people need me, I don’t need people.’”
“What the Lord did was show me I can’t have true friendships with people if I’m not willing to meet them with my own needs and my own sin and be honest about it.”
“I don’t know if I ever relaly thought about my sin being primarily against God and his law and the good life that He has laid out for us.”
“Me presenting myself to my kids as a perfect mom is not what they need. They need to know mom messes up but she goes to Jesus.”
“If we are making excuses for each other then what we are giving each other is not grace, we’re denying each other the grace that we need.”
“There is so much joy that comes on the other side of repentance.”
“The beauty of God’s plan for His church is that he has given us community.”
“Community is something God has given us for a reason.”
“Recognizing friendship isn’t the thing that get s us through the week, its something that God designed to conform us to the image of Christ.”
“One of the key things about learning to be a good friend is asking questions and then to listening to the answers.”
Verses:
Psalm 51
Tangible tips we can do in relationships:
1) Find ways to be flexible and be creative to help meet each others practical needs. Ex. Watch your friends kids in her front yard for an hour so she can have a break
2) As you are able, do something fun. Create new memories. Ex. Mountain biking, float trips
3) Be able to listen well and ask how she is feeling? How can I pray for you right now? Do you feel close to the Lord?
4) Go first.
Resources Wren/Catherine mention:
Strong by Catherine Parks
Empowered by Catherine Parks
Catherine on Instagram
Catherine on Facebook
What Catherine is Eating: Indian food in the Instant Pot
What Catherine is Reading: A Gentleman in Moscow
What Catherine is Loving: Being outside
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See you over on Instagram or Facebook!
XO,
Wren