Do you feel like you are lacking friends? Do you have moments of loneliness? Have you felt like you want to grow your friendships but don’t know how? Well, that is exactly what we are talking about on the podcast today.

In this episode, I’m joined by Craig Cooper. Craig and his friend, Walker Hayes (yes, THE Walker Hayes who sings “Fancy Like”), wrote a book on friendship called Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences. It is a story about the unlikely journey of friendship between a pastor and an atheist. God often uses unlikely friendships to work in incredible ways and today Craig shares the value of face-to-face friendships in our lives.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How God designed us for transformative relationships
• The importance of safety in our relationships
• The difference between table connection and tablet connection
• Some of the barriers to real connection our culture promotes
• How Craig’s friendship with Walker Hayes led to transformation in both of their lives

This conversation really challenged me, and I know it will challenge you too. Listen in!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Better Together: Because You’re Not Meant to Mom Alone by Jill Savage
• Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences by Craig Cooper & Walker Hayes
• Craig and Walker’s Website
• Craig’s Website
• Follow Craig on Instagram
• Follow Walker on Instagram
• As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.

My Key Takeaways:

1) It should be restful for others to be around us. Throughout the Gospels, we see examples where Jesus was a place of rest for those around Him. He is calling us to be the same! This was such a big mindset shift for me from today’s conversation. When we interact with our friends and neighbors, are our relationships restful? Can those around us feel safe in our presence? If you are a Christian you have experienced the rest that comes from God and your relationships should be defined by that rest.

2) Genuine connection is made face-to-face. Social media has given us the mirage of being connected. We experience “connection” at unprecedented levels without actually connecting with another person. When it comes to relationships, we should value table connections over tablet connections. There is no replacement for face-to-face and heart-to-heart relationships where we can share our lives with one another.

3) Learn to love people when they are low. There is often an uncomfortableness that comes with feeling low or knowing a friend feels down. We can have a habit of wanting to rush in and solve the problem rather than learning how to sit with them in those low times. Genuine friendship and support are not about taking away people’s pain; it is about showing up for them in the low times and being able to call on friends to sit with you when you feel low.

About Craig:

Craig Cooper is a gifted storyteller, Bible teacher, author, and pastor. For over twenty years, he has spoken at numerous churches, men’s retreats, college campuses, and various gatherings. Craig‘s passion is to help people perceive the gifts of God in their lives and deploy them for Jesus’ glory. He became an unlikely friend to Walker Hayes, a country musician, when they removed the fence between their houses. Craig lives in the greater Nashville area with his amazing wife, Laura, and their four kids. Learn more at https://www.craigallencooper.com/ —