How does friendship, deep friendship exist in the midst of chaotic schedules and seasons of struggle?
I wish I had a tidy answer.
For me, it’s a little messy in the world of friendship. Actually, it’s messy in my world period. I wrestle, wondering: if my friends mean so much to me, then why do I let ridiculous amounts of time pass without contacting or seeing my BFF’s?
I am up to my nose in life: family, work, driving boys around, activities, chores, errands, driving boys around (did I already mention that?) and so it goes.You know the drill. Trying to live by my priorities and so on and so forth.
The life of a woman in 2015 is demanding and exhausting at times. Many are busy with little ones, caring for an aging parent, in seasons of grief and loss, working a difficult job or living with health issues.
Yet shouldn’t friendship be a priority?
In light of my questions, I’ve begun to practice intentionality in this messy, important part of my life by incorporating a few focus points:
~Grace: (my favorite word): Giving myself grace in this area – I carry a big load and I can’t be the perfect friend. I just can’t. Grace – extended to my equally occupied friends. They can’t be perfect friends either. They just can’t.
~Small connections: Take time daily to connect via text, email or Facebook with a buddy. We all love receiving texts from pals telling us they are thinking about or praying for us. These little connections can make someone’s day, yours too.
~Plan Plan Plan: Schedule regular times to get together with friends weeks and months ahead of time if need be. Most likely, if it isn’t planned, it doesn’t happen.
~Make the most of the moments when you are together: Go deep. Laugh together. Sweetly savor one another.
So, how does friendship look in your life today? What steps can you take to cultivate relationships in seasons of struggle and chaos?
Yes, I ‘m doing the friendship thing messily these days, but I’m doing it. And I’ve even made some delightful new friends I hope to get to know better (six months from now, on a Friday at 7).