May I be blunt?
FRIENDSHIP TAKES WORK! In case you didn’t read that right, I’ll repeat it:
FRIENDSHIP TAKES WORK!
I have a friend since college (that is a lot of years trust me) who, along with me, carved out time for each other. We did stuff together. Attended conferences together. I was there for the unexpected deaths of his father and son. He is now retired and it has been since December that we have gotten together for our pizza run.
I have a friend in Terre Haute whom I met in the church. We started cycling together and forged a good friendship. We live about an hour apart now and don’t see each other often enough. I was there for his cancer surgery and other medical challenges. We cycled together for the first time in several years about 2 months ago. I miss him.
I had a friend who attended the church. We cycled together. Ate meals together. Studied the Bible in groups. Even worked on the upgrade of our building. One day he stopped coming to church. That same day he disappeared out of my life. I have seen him once (by chance) on the street while I was cycling and he walking. It has been almost 4 years.
All three are instances of friendship taking work. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. One thing is sure with friendship: it takes two to tango.
Friendships come in all sizes, shapes and colors. I’ve met many in the blogging world. Most have gone to other things, blogs, or interests. But God always brings new ones along. Such is a new website I am happy and honored to be involved in. Started by Deb Wolf, it is called Faith’nFriends. My first blog will be next Monday but if you go there now you can read this one by Christi. I’d like to invite to be a friend. (I bet you thought I was going to invite you to be my neighbor). 🙂
Yeah, friendship takes a lot of work. Often I find that I just don’t have it in me.
It is tiring at times Daniel. But my life is richer because of friends.
I don’t work at it enough.
It is more than expected sometimes.
Friendships rule… except when they fall apart for no apparent reason. I miss two of my friends… one moved away and we just lost connection, another one told me twice that she doesn’t feel like being friends. That hurt.
But I am thankful for friends that I do have and value them. Now, probably, even more than before.
A friend moving away is one thing. One saying they don’t want it any more is hurtful in a whole ‘nother way. I too am thankful for the friends I have.
Just subscribed to Deb’s new blog, Bill. Looking forward to seeing you there, friend, and making new friends while I’m at it.
Blessings!
Thanks for checking out that new place Martha. I look forward to making new friends.
Some of the most heartbreaking times in my life were when friendships faded not because I wanted them too but because someone gave up on kindling the friendship. I’m actually struggling in the area of friendship right now, and it leaves an emptiness, that’s for sure. The importance of it cannot be stressed enough.
It is heartbreaking Kari. The hardest one for me was the latter one because it was so sudden with no explanation. Don’t give up on friendship though.
I shudder when I think of where I would be without a few good friends. Recently took up walking with a new friend from church and she always leaves me wanting to walk again with her. she listen well, does not try to fix me, listens well, speaks truth from the Word, listen well, ask good questions, listen well. She says the same about me.
I have went months and even a couple of years without a good friend, learned a lot about myself and my best friend, Jesus. Life is richer because of friends and I even gain richness from the Lord on how to deal with those not so good friends. Will have to check out links.
I start my daily blog hop by reading yours first because your blog was the first male one I read when I started blogging. You write simple enough that I get it, your words ring true according to my limited knowledge of the Word. Yep, you are my blog friend.
My life is definitely richer Betty. And I am humbled and honored you would think my blog is worth reading first. WOW! And I consider you a blog friend also.
It is hard in a busy life to be a friend. Although I’m not great at being a good friend, sometimes I remember. I called my friend at work a while back, the same number for thirty years now, to find out he’d been let go. To hear the sound in his voice when I did talk to him was so encouraging. It feels good to be a friend, my friend.
Thanks for your friendship and prayers over the years, Bill. God bless you, brother.
It does feel good to be a friend Floyd. I feel bad for those who neither want one nor want to be one. They are missing out on so much. And your thoughts toward me are back at ya.