Maybe others will have more practical advice, but first, from a spiritual standpoint, it could be that God is trying to teach you that He is your only true Friend, and wants to draw you closer to Him. Our Lord once said to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque when she had no human consolation: "Am I not sufficient for thee?"I actually thought of that already, and I do feel closer to Our Lord as a result. Still, I think it's sad on a human level that all my friends in the same state of life (childbearing years) always move on for some reason. It's especially sad that good people, God's own, hopefully future saints, can't socialize or share company with each other in this life. And it's not just myself I feel sorry for. Perhaps I can grow spiritually from it, but what about my children? They will want companionship, and I fear they will befriend worldlings and noncatholics out of desperation in the future. So many good traditional Catholic families have come and gone.
Nevertheless, have you prayed to ask for a good friend here on earth? You could try that, and maybe also try praying to know if there is anything you need to do differently which might help you find & retain a good friend.
Our Lord once said to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque when she had no human consolation: "Am I not sufficient for thee?"That is not to say friendships in this vale of tears shouldn't be sought. St. Thomas Aquinas highly praises good friendships, even saying that the relationship between a husband and wife is the highest form of friendship.
That is not to say friendships in this vale of tears shouldn't be sought. St. Thomas Aquinas highly praises good friendships, even saying that the relationship between a husband and wife is the highest form of friendship.I know; that's why in my very next sentence, I recommended praying to find a good friend, etc...
... Perhaps I can grow spiritually from it, but what about my children? They will want companionship, and I fear they will befriend worldlings and noncatholics out of desperation in the future. So many good traditional Catholic families have come and gone.Are you currently married, with children?
what about my children? They will want companionship, and I fear they will befriend worldlings and noncatholics out of desperation in the future. So many good traditional Catholic families have come and gone.Pray they enter religious life and cloister themselves from the world.
Maybe you should have a good look at yourself as to why some of you have so few friends. It could be that you’re not very nice people. Maybe if you were more saintly, more people would be attracted to you. You don’t have to only be friends with people you deem ‘worthy’. That might be the answer you’re looking for.
I have been friendly to so many people in my adult life, yet I currently have no friends IRL. All I have are some acquaintances, most of whom are a generation older than me. Some have moved away, others left my chapel or group and cut off from me, and others actually turned on me, betrayed me, or became my actual enemy. People say you have to be a friend to make a friend, but that doesn't always work. I've invested in countless friendships and they always end for some reason beyond my control. It's sad and kind of depressing.
Real friends will never turn on you, will help you get to heaven, and are all but non-existent in this world. For those that have found one, consider yourself extremely blessed.OP, these ^^^ are the *only* type of friends you should be seeking.
"A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure." - Ecclesiasticus 6:14
I actually thought of that already, and I do feel closer to Our Lord as a result. Still, I think it's sad on a human level that all my friends in the same state of life (childbearing years) always move on for some reason. It's especially sad that good people, God's own, hopefully future saints, can't socialize or share company with each other in this life. And it's not just myself I feel sorry for. Perhaps I can grow spiritually from it, but what about my children? They will want companionship, and I fear they will befriend worldlings and noncatholics out of desperation in the future. So many good traditional Catholic families have come and gone.So you have children, ifs your husband still living with you? If yes, then work on that relationship as he is supposed to be the best friend Our Lord has given you. When your spouse is your best friend, as it should be, then you would not worry about having other friends.
When your spouse is your best friend, as it should be, then you would not worry about having other friends.This is a blessing, not the norm.
This is a blessing, not the norm.So if your spouse is pretty much your best friend, then you can't or shouldn't hope for any other friends? Not even friends/couples that you and your spouse are both friends with?
So if your spouse is pretty much your best friend, then you can't or shouldn't hope for any other friends? Not even friends/couples that you and your spouse are both friends with?Agree. Your spouse is not supposed to be your only social outlet. Maybe that works for some couples, if they are more introverted and don't need a lot of social interaction. For most people, expecting your spouse to fulfill all of your social needs is naive.