You can have a very close friend!

God created you to enjoy fellowship with others, even outside of your marriage and/or family.  You can experience the Gift of Intimacy (without sex) with some one of the same sex.  (If you are married, it is wisdom to not pursue a close friendship nor become emotionally attached to some one of the opposite sex and thus guard your heart for your spouse, who needs to be your best friend for the rest of your life together.)  Men and women understand each other of the same sex and can encourage, strengthen and be accountable to each other for the way that they live their lives privately and publicly.  When men and women meet together with others of the same sex in the marketplace, outside of their homes and churches, they are able to demonstrate a brotherhood and sisterhood that crosses established barriers of age, race, background and social status.  A close friendship with someone of the same sex, can enrich your life, allowing you to grow in new areas of appreciation and respect for others, as well as deepening the relationships that you already have with your family and friends.

1. The first step is the acknowledge that God created you to be a friend to someone that may not be able to give back to you all the time and attention that you need or want. 

2. The second step is to ask God to change you into the friend that you need to be and then to direct you to someone within your sphere of influence that need a close friend. 

3. The third step is be a friend to others that would be honored to introduce you to their friends and family because of the quality of friendship that they enjoy in their relationship with you.