Friendship for Grown-Ups: What I Missed and Learned Along the Way »

Former Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel shares her experiences of growing up without true friends and how she learned to find and develop them as an adult through God's grace.

Not many people can say they lived their most crucial developmental years on the sound stage of a wildly popular TV show. But that's exactly what happened in Lisa Whelchel's life. As a child, she learned to guard her heart so tightly to avoid true hurt that she found herself unable to form lasting friendships as an adult.

Friendship for Grown-Ups details her experiences of learning to come out of her shell, to trust, risk, and become vulnerable by God's grace and find meaningful friendships. Readers encounter her captivating story and refreshing perspective on life's most precious gift--and they find practical tips for their own friendships along the way.

Contents

Foreword....................ix
Acknowledgments....................xiv
One I Need Friends....................1
Two The Facts of My Life....................12
Three It's Okay to Be Needy....................24
Four A Merciful Breakdown....................42
Five Where Do I Begin?....................64
Six New Friendships with Old Friends....................79
Seven Women of Faith....................92
Eight Who Are Safe People?....................115
Nine Afraid to Be Free....................132
Ten Let's Get Real....................141
Eleven Conflict Can Be a Good Thing....................152
Twelve From Head to Heart....................163
Questions for Reflection or Discussion....................179
Appendix One: You Gave Me a Friend....................185
Appendix Two: Practical Steps for Developing and Growing Friendships....................190
Appendix Three: Conversation Prompts....................213
Notes....................219
About the Author....................222