In a contemplative mood tonight. Thinking about friends.
Good friends, old friends, past friends, new friends, bad friends, sad friends, moody friends, friends that bring me down, friends that lift me up, friends that keep their word, friends full of words but no action, friends I wish I was closer with and/or to, friends I wish I could separate myself from.
I learned a lot being gone for a year. It's been very enlightening. A lot can be learned from a friendship that is stretched to new boundaries for a year. Another thing I learned is that friendships that thrive on the phone aren't always the friendships that translate well to "real life." Friendships don't always survive the move away, or the move back. Friendships don't always survive illnesses either. I have found that not only do some people not understand Fibromyalgia, but now that I am learning to deal with it, I need to cut a lot out of my life. Just leave the essentials. And that includes friends.
I know very well that most people have very little extra time. People must take care of their families before their friends as well as schooling, church responsibilities, extended family, etc. However, in those few minutes left at the end of the day, who (or what) are you willing to give that time to? That is what matters most to you.
I know that I do not have enough time to do justice to my wonderful friends. I wish I could see them more, email them more, call them more and spend more time with and on them. I can't. But I pray that the time that I do have, I use wisely: cultivating the friendships that mean the most to me and the ones that God smiles down on, keeping watered the friendships that aren't to be let go and pruning the friendships that cause me anxiety and that God has released me from.
And I pray that I can bless my friends as much as they bless me.
3 comments:
I feel the same way. But...I try to at least shoot short emails...or I even will put a note in the mail/a little card even...just something to let them know I'm thinking of them. I try to combine having to be out with stopping to see a friend...or having them over here is even better. I've tried to teach my children (my older daughters get it) that relationships have eternal value...they are worth our time and effort to cultivate. Of course, my husband/children and home come first...but my home is always open...to family, to my children's friends...to my friends....move the clutter, have a cup of tea and we'll chat. I have a dear friend who just got back from Africa and is settling into her new home here...I know she is busy, but would love to see more of her, so we're both trying to make it happen. I've discovered that He will orchestrate my time for me...and it is always the best. God bless your day! ~Sue~
God has been teaching me a lot about friendship in the last couple of years. I didn't have a clue, apparently. I'm trying, but I know that I still fall short. I want to be the kind of friend that I want to have. Lord help me!
Love you friend!
I hope I am going to be one of the watered friends and not one of the pruned ones. ;0)
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