Comments

Posted by mumumomma

I feel like you do, most people equate being busy w/ productiveness. How sad, too busy for a real friendship.
Well one thing is for sure, with blogging you do get to have a lot of special friends in cyberspace! I like that about blogging, you get to meet so many great people and you never know what friendship may develop!
Thanks for sharing your personal story, I know you have touched a chord in many who have read it.
:) keep smiling

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Posted by imasharp

I love this post. I feel the same way. It is hard to find true friends anymore. Wish we lived closer.
Hugs,
Christy

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Posted by MayTheyBeMightyMen

Eeek! I just realized you were posting down here. I was coming over and seeing the same couple posts up top, and I never saw the new ones. So sorry about that. :'S

Friendship has been a tough topic for me for years. I think the ache can be found throughout the church body and our culture at large. We have become isolated in a time when we've never had more opportunity to be connected.

I have a friend who believes Satan's biggest plan is to isolate us, divide us, and run rampant when we can no longer function as a unified body of the church. I can't say I disagree all that much.

*sigh*

I've prayed for face-to-face friends, and I've finally found some here. Mainly, my friends came from serving with one another in ministry teams. A few were from small groups that were "randomly" put together over the years. (They were definitely not random.) ;')

I find certain online connections are a blessing, and I love my friends at HSB and a couple other great places, but I need my "Jesus with skin on" friends so much, too. Not that y'all don't have skin. . . ;')

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Posted by lcourtneymom

I think this difficulty in making friends in real life and people being so busy is one reason I've found so many good friends online!

We are fortunate that we are becoming close friends with several new couples in the church we have been attending the last year.

I have several homeschool moms that I consider my good friends, but often time will go by before we see each other because of the business in our lives.

I can totally relate with your post.

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Posted by jsgay97

I so resonate with what you've said. I think a lot of us (myself included) are afraid of reaching out to a real live person because they can really hurt us. Cyber friends are safer somehow, but we miss out on that hug on a bad day or real time laughter. You have such a knack for gently touching a chord in our hearts by sharing your own feelings. You are an incredible woman!
Jennifer

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Posted by shawtime

I could have written your post. In fact, I wrote a few comments tonight on disappointment and friendships in my blog. I wanted to go where you went, but decided to keep it short. For some reason, I am drawn to those who are struggling and feel alone. Oftentimes, I reach out to them, extending love and grace... then am rejected. I understand that they often have unresolved issues that keep them from trusting people and shy away from friendships. I realize that many of the people I try to minister to appreciate my love and friendship, but maybe don't know HOW to reciprocate. Yet, it feels like rejection. I can relate to your post. I firmly believe close relationships are critical to spiritual growth. I think relationships with family and friends is one of the greatest blessings God gives us - and is the one most often neglected. I believe we can never have too many friends... if they're true friends. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it is a commitment. But, when it's a true friendship, it doesn't take much effort... it should come naturally.

We are more lonely and isolated than we've ever been in history. This is so unfortunate. We're so busy "chasing the wind" and miss the important things life has to offer like friendships and simple moments of sharing with people we love.

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Posted by OldSchoolMarm

I so understand and relate to your post. Fortunately, I do have a couple of close friends that have "been there" through the thick and thin and I thank God for them. Thanks for your insight, "private" messages, and sweet comments! I miss you! Please post soon. Blessings :-) , Julie

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Posted by bbullard

What insightful posts you've had of late! Perhaps I'll write a "real" letter to express my total sentiments, but what immediately hit me is two differences between our generation and the previous ones:

1) Though my mom had more children, she had a lot less to do. Of course, as you stated, much of my business is by choice. Our kids are in more activities than I was in as a child (and there was less money), and my mom was a regular church attendee, but churches weren't didn't have the same kind of initiatives

2) We no longer live in nuclear families. When I grew up, my mom, grandmom, great aunt, and another sister lived not too far from us. Now I am an hour from my in-laws (which is often a good thing), and 12 hours from my own family.

I wasn't one who had friends, either. This will sound arrogant, but I say with all the humility I can. As the smart, pretty, teacher's pet, I faced alot of jealousy, and I wasn't outgoing enough to be cheerleader-type popular. I still have a couple of dear friends between college and high school that have boiled down to annual Christmas letters--I tend to put them on the back burner too much. Funny--not a day goes by that I don't think to write them, but slowing down and penning a letter is another thing.

I probably shouldn't say all this to a pen pal, but you have encouraged me to do better!

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Posted by JADsmama3

I so know the feeling of wanting a friend...one really good, close friend that you can do anything with. I have been hurt many, many times and I think that I have pulled away, afraid to get hurt again. It sure would be nice to have a friend like that!
Blessings,
Vania

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