April 26, 2006
Just Friends
Is that a single guys two least favorite words or a funny movie? Actually it is both, as this funny movie invites us all into the “nice guys” world of…THE FRIEND ZONE! I honestly don’t know if I found this movie so funny just because I could relate to the main character or if it was actually good. Another friend of mine who saw it recently didn’t seem so enamored by it, but he is one of those guys that probably only spent time in the friend zone by his choice. Those that were given permanent residence there against their will probably find the movie funnier.
Most of my life had been spent in that desolate world – as the female equivalent to “always a bridesmaid, but never a bride”. My best friends were always lady killers and rarely spent time in the friend zone.
Just so it is clear – this isn’t a rant and is only written in the vein that I can totally relate to this movie and laughed repeatedly!
In High School it was Heather Requard that captured my attention and left me standing in the zone. College brought on countless opportunities to firmly entrench myself, but the real stand out was Angie Eck. Vertical Horizon sung my tune on the radio, “But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why”. I sure made a proper fool of myself trying to break free of those friendly chains on more than one occasion, but it was not meant to be.
Then after college there was Amy Wanaselja who captured my heart and I found myself once again sitting on the sidelines. Only this time – I knew exactly why I was there. She was a preacher’s daughter, devout in her faith for Jesus Christ. I was an atheist and regularly found my enjoyment in a 12 pack of Killians. Again, the time to break free from the Friend Zone was not meant to be.
It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ captured my heart and transformed it, turning me into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) that I was finally able to break free. I learned what it was to be more than just friends and entered the deepest relationship of my life, with Jesus Christ. No longer did the scales of my selfishness blind me from the love that He gave. And it was this relationship that enabled me to one day make Amy Wanaselja, my wife. For that I am thankful to Heather and Angie for haveing been just friends.
Posted by price at April 26, 2006 02:37 PM | TrackBackCute blog Jeff. I think you have an awesome testimony, in light of the fact that it was your future wife that lead you to the Lord!
Do you feel perpetually indebted?
And whats wrong with a 12 pack of Killians? That was my first love in the suds department.
Cute?! Oh no….anything but cute….that’s like, “just friends”! lol
“You don’t wanna be like the guy in the PG-13 movie that everyone really hopes makes it. You wanna be like the guy in the rated R movie, that you aren’t really sure if you like yet” ~ Trent from “Swingers”
As to the “perpetual indebtedness”, I guess I haven’t thought of it like that for a long time. She and I are both so different from the way we were then and have grown so much, that I spend more time enjoying where we are now together as a couple. Besides, she’ll just tell ya it was all the Spirit’s work anyway :-)
Nothing wrong with a 12 pack of Killians. Unless you drink it all yourself over a short period of time…then you have a problem!
Posted by: Jeff Price at April 27, 2006 10:57 AMI just read this for the first time. What a fun blog! I've never been given the "just friends" line, but I'm sure it's not fun to hear. I know it's not fun to give. But misleading someone is worse, right?
I'm so glad that the Holy Spirit did work within you. Your testimony is fantastic.
Posted by: Ally at May 22, 2006 02:58 PMI have a hard time imagining you getting an invitation to the "friend’s zone", so I’m not surprised you haven’t experienced that. You are right that it is better to know where you stand and how they feel about you rather than to continue to fall for someone that just doesn’t feel the same way. It certainly doesn’t feel that way at the time, but obviously in the long run we can see the benefits of that.
Although at the same time – with feelings being so fickle and changing over time persistence can pay off. As with any gamble in life, "you gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run". lol
Thankfully for me it wasn’t a gamble, but a reliance on God’s provision. I’m glad you appreciate that so much.
Posted by: Jeff Price at May 23, 2006 12:37 PM