a) Many friends with brief contact
b) Few friends with lengthy contact
My answer would be A, naturally. I typically ignore my email, snailmail, text messages, IMs, and phone calls (if it's urgent, call my mom or my brother). I don't believe I'm anti-social, uncaring, or indifferent. I'm simply too lazy or too busy. I'm just grateful that my true friends don't get offended; they simply understand...thank you!
This week has been quite different, though. God knew this was a week when I would need a friend--actually, 2 friends--to help clear my mind and put things in perspective.
Many changes and surprises took place in the last 90 days:
- I re-enrolled in Bible College
- I almost passed out and got rushed to the ER
- I reconciled and broke up with my ex
- I joined another ministry, Puggles (2-year-old's), during Bible Study on Wednesdays
- I teamed up with Allgen Financial Services while still working for AppleOne
- I got my first speeding ticket
- My mom's health worsened (high blood pressure)
- My aunt and uncle arrived from Seattle to stay with us for an extended period of time
- My stepdad collapsed, stopped breathing, and was rushed to the ER (by God's grace, he is okay now)
- My mom announced that she and my stepdad will be leaving
During a very short period of time, I have not only decided to add even more stuff to my plate... A lot of other things came landing on top of everything else, involuntarily! I believe I have finally reached my breaking point this week! I have been coming home late every night, keeping up with all the added responsibilities and catching up with other commitments that had been put off as a result of my stepdad's recent emergency.
The more tired I feel, the harder it is to ignore and pardon certain things that just simply get on my nerves. I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions all at the same time, and I could barely find time for myself...yet, I decided to set my emotions aside. I was awarded a free day off after giving the most creative answer during a meeting, and I was hoping I could use that day to relax somewhere with my 2 boys. I was appalled when another "special" request came in that threatened the remote possibility of finally having some peace and tranquility on a day that hasn't even happened yet! And, the thought of my parents leaving after honoring their request for me to move all the way to Florida only made things worse. As usual, these things like to happen while I'm driving (I refuse to get another ticket)!
Well, God knew exactly what I needed this week: 2 friends. Since moving to Florida, I never felt the need to confide or simply vent my feelings in front of anybody. In the last 90 days, however, God allowed me to meet 2 new friends, Alissa and James, who seem to have a very special ability to get me to "talk"...and each time I do talk with them, I get "talker's remorse" for hearing myself talk too much! The weird thing is, one talks a whole lot more than the other, but they both seem to have the same effect on me, anyway. Truthfully, I'd rather be the listener, and I don't particularly like to be the one to call just because I need something.
God knew exactly when I needed to talk with someone, even when I did not want to pick up the phone. Thanks, Alissa, for listening to God when He wanted you to call me out of the blue, and for letting me get all of my frustrations out! I'm glad that I was able to make your day simply by revealing the "human" side of me (great). What were you implying? Oh, and thanks for reminding me that God will bring about good things, and that I need to keep trusting Him to see me through this stage of my life.
James, thank you for letting me vent when I was frustrated about work. Thank you for asking the right questions that helped me identify the underlying problem. God then provided an immediate answer to this prayer! So, thanks always for your prayers.
Isn't God great? He's the greatest Friend anyone could ever have! There's really nothing to complain about, and so much to be thankful for. I never asked God for friends...but, He chose to bring them my way, anyway, because He knows best.
Thank you, Lord, for yet another humbling experience!
God is truly moulding my character. I wonder what He is preparing me for, next?
"A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
