Friendship Amidst Frenzy

May 25 2015 Friendship Amidst Frenzy

 How does friendship, deep friendship, exist amid chaotic schedules and seasons of struggle?

I wish I had a tidy answer.

For me, friendship is a little messy. 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 BFFs?

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. I am 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 demanding 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: Daily 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 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 amid 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).

PC: Beach image: Google Images