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Ask Ainsley
Ask Ainsley is when readers ask questions and Ainsley Answers them. Hope these answers help. -Ainsley
Q: Dear Ainsley,
I am having trouble making new friends at school. Do you have any advice that would help me make new friends?
A: Dear Th!nk Reader,
It is always good to have close friends through life. You probably think you’re the only one feeling lonely, but look around, do you see someone else sitting by themselves at lunch? Or does someone on your bus walk home from school by themselves? Go and make friends with them. It isn’t about how many friends you have; it is more about how well your relationship is with them. A relationship is better when it is about giving and not getting. Sometimes when we are feeling lonely or without friends God may be trying to teach us that we should rely in him as a friend. Also, though it might not seem like it, brothers and sisters make great friends… try it. (though I admit sometimes you just need some time with a girl your age who might understand you in a different way than your siblings.)
-Ainsley
Q: Dear Ainsley,
I recently went to a summer camp. I made friends with another girl at camp. The problem is, I don’t think she’s a Christian, and I’ve kind of been resisting God. What I mean by resisting is not praying and honoring him very often. What do I do?
A: Dear Th!nk Reader,
If I were you, I would ask God to forgive you right away. Then you can start over and forget what you have done wrong. If you aren’t already, you should pick a specific time each day to be alone with God and in his word. This could be a minute or two reading a devotion. But if you want to spend more time with Him, you could do a devotion and then spend a few minutes praying. It’s good to spend time alone, where it’s quiet, with no distractions so that God can speak to you. Maybe God brought you into your friend’s life so that you could help her become a Christian. Remember to use your time with her wisely, make sure none of her bad habits rub off on you; instead your good habits rub off on her. Colossians 4:5-6 says, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer to everyone. Don’t be afraid to talk to your parents as well, they know you better than anyone (except for God). God gave us each a specific set of parents to train us and help us. If your friend has an email account, maybe you could send her our magazine. Maybe then something will help her make a relationship with God.
-Ainsley
Q: Dear Ainsley,
My best friend is moving to New York this summer. I have known her since I was 5. We do everything together. What can I do to keep in touch with her? Besides calling or texting.
A: Dear Th!nk Reader,
I have had a close friend move before. It’s hard. An idea is to send letters. I know it’s not the quickest way but then you know it’s from your friend which is very comforting. You can also send pictures, jewelry or other small items along with the letter. If you want to make sure to keep in touch with your friend, you should be consistent. Meaning that once you get a letter then you shouldn’t reply a month later. Also remember that this is hard on your friend too, something you can do for her is to make a scrapbook. On each page there could be a picture of her friends (or maybe her and one of her friends doing something together) and on another page there could be their picture each friend. You could write about memories they had with the girl moving, or things they will miss about her. Don’t forget a page with your picture… her best friend. It will be hard but God has a plan. He will help her find new friends and be okay without you.
-Ainsley
Th!nk Magazine 