friends

Don't you just love them? I've never thought of myself as a person who must be surrounded by a ton of friends. Nor do I think of myself as only having one or two close friends. I think I'm a good friend - guess you'd have to ask some of those people I call 'friend' and see what they say. And once, way back in junior high/high school, I would say that I had a "best friend". I've had very close relationships with people at different times in my life - you know the kind, where you can stop by their house for "just a minute" and then you end staying until the wee hours of the morning...just talking and doing fun stuff together. But, I often think of myself as very independent, not wanting to be needy or impose on anyone else. So, sometimes the idea of 'friendship' is a little scary for me.

But lately, I've noticed that God has brought some incredible people into my life. It's not like I've moved to a new place or started working somewhere different. But I've just began to realize what a blessing each one of them is to me. Here's a few insights:

#1 Recently, I went to the movies on my day off with a friend. It wasn't a long time we spent together. But it was refreshing. We laughed and I thought how much I wished we could do that more often. And I know that another day will come where we'll meet for coffee or lunch or something and talk real fast about all that God is doing in our lives. I look forward to that.

#2 Back in November I had breakfast with a friend I used to work with. We really hadn't talked in over a month. We weren't on a rushed schedule and so it was good to sit and talk about some of the deep things of life. I forget how important it is to engage yourself in conversation that has real meaning and to honestly encourage and challenge one another. I must call them soon!

#3 I've been thinking alot about another friend of mine who moved away last April. Whenever he comes to mind I try to pray for him. I called him and left a quick message, but never heard back from him. More time passed and he was still on my mind, so I dropped a card in the mail to him. I hope that when he got it he remembers all the times we used to sit and just talk and share crazy stories about life. And when his schedule settles down and he does call, I know that it will be like all these days haven't passed and we'll pick up right where we left - without a minute of silence between us.

#4 Another friend of mine pulled me aside the other day and said, "Remember that talk we had a month or so ago. Well, I was thinking about it and I have some questions for you." Now, these were not easy questions for me or for them. But I'm ever so thankful for a friend who cares deeply and won't let things slip by. He causes me to want to be that kind of friend - ever sensitive to the little words and actions of others and what they might be implying about the inner thoughts and attitudes.

#5 And for new friends...there are a few people that I've been able to spend more time with recently. I love the vitality and enthusiasm for life that one of them has. I enjoy being around her and all her ideas. Difficult circumstances drew the other person and I closer together. I could see hanging out with her and getting to know her better. You see, I am learning more about them and it makes me want to share more of myself with them (which I am not usually easily inclined to do). I am beginning to understand know how closed off and comfortable I can be with my little circle of friends, not allowing myself to be open to others. The presence of these 'new friends' in my life has reminded me that I can't do that - because I will be the one to miss the blessing.

I am also learning how to express my gratitude to my friends. Not in gifts or flowers or anything tangible. But to say in words, directly to them, how meaningful they are to me. I'm afraid that I didn't do that with relationships in my past. And I see the importance of that now more than ever before.

What is it that you want to say to your friends?