Do you know those circles created among girls in school, church, and at work? Those kinds of circles that seem to have a sign hanging that says ‘we don’t accept new friends’? I’m against that.
Every woman who belongs to such circles is automatically disqualified from being a potential friend of mine. Not because I think I’m better than them but because I’ve never liked that. Sometimes we’d go out with some women in the church and this would happen, these circles appeared from nowhere. And you know what’s more interesting? Women who belong to these kinds of anti-social groups look a lot like each other. Either they’re all gossips or frustrated about something similar (being single or divorced), selfish or simply the self-righteous type. When I’d look at those circles, my blood would boil and a strong desire to ask them if they knew what they had in common would come over me. When such a ‘circle of friends’ is created, the subjects they talk about are usually the kind that really don’t matter, and worse, they contaminate.
I’m privileged to have many friends of the same spirit and faith, and every time we meet in meetings, we sit together all day long and share with one another experiences and tips to help us serve God better. It’s truly wonderful! Nobody feels like an outcast even though we’re usually quite a few. Nobody makes inappropriate comments about one another or others, and nobody prefers someone in particular. Everyone respects everyone. And when we leave these meetings, that normally don’t last more than two days, we are renewed and blessed. Contrary to many ‘circles of friends’ out there…
In these evil circles, there’s always that one person who is the head of the circle and that other one who is her right hand. There’s also that other one who suffers for not speaking as much as the others. The subjects that go around these circles are so futile, they leave grudges behind. An intelligent woman does not join circles. She’s a friend to everyone and when she’s with her friends, she adds good things to their life and never takes away from them.
In faith
Cristiane Cardoso