In her Bible Study "Stepping Up", Beth Moore said (and I'm paraphrasing), "With the modern convenience of texting, IMing, and even email, we easily and often 'keep in touch' with people through short notes, but we're still left feeling hungry for something real."
How true! If we were to take a poll, the large majority would say that they often feel lonely. Yet they would also answer that they have a lot of friends. It sounds almost oxymoronic. So why is this? Well we all know the Bible verse, "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly." But what does "friendly" mean? Being friendly, like Beth Moore said, means more than a quick text or a wall post on facebook. It means phone calls and written notes and coffee dates if one wants to build relationships and make real, deep, true friendships instead of casual acquaintanceships.
However, in my experience, that isn't enough. The problem is, it takes two. One can call and write and try to plan coffee dates, but if the effort isn't reciprocated then it becomes frustrating to both parties. So would you like to know what I think? I think people have given up. No one makes the effort because they're tired of the rejection, so no one else feels wanted and therefore they don't make an effort either.
So what would happen if, all of a sudden, everyone just decided to put themselves out there and make themselves a little vulnerable, and to sacrifice a little bit of time out of their day for the benefit of someone else? Maybe the loneliness would stop! Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? I recently read "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exubery and in it he paints a pictures of how something trivial becomes special because of the effort and care one puts into it; whether a drink of water, a sunset, or a relationship.
I know: this has nothing to do with my ministry here in Portugal. But first the Bible study and then the children's book in less than a week really got me thinking. For about a week these thoughts have been bouncing around inside my head, and I had to get them out. :-) So here's my blog; a convenient way to share my musings!
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3 comments:
I think it could have something to do with your ministry in Portugal. You are in another country serving with people from other countries, and all of you have family and friends thousands of miles away. You learn how to reach out and help others not be lonely. And in doing that, you have given all of us here who are ruled by our business a great deal to think about and apply...not only in reaching out to others, but also in being reached out to.
Good thots, dearie, and good lesson! :)
Hi Amy,
Hear, hear! I think our lives have become more hectic, but I think many people have become used to "glorying" in their business, and they put more things into their lives to make themselves busier, so that they can win the prize for busiest person. And then they can hide out from potential friends or rejectors, because they are too busy.
As much as I enjoyed going to Germany recently, I really enjoyed the time to sit and read a book and talk to my husband and not have to deal with the ordinary, everyday things, and that could have happened anywhere ... except maybe home!
Becky C., who forgot her password :)
p.s. oooo - as i'm writing my post, "me" posted and talked about our business - spooky!
We are sometimes lonely when we are not sure what we should be doing in our lives. When we pray for the Lord to help us he gives us more than we need and when we serve others we are not lonely anymore. I think it might be for you the language barrier. It's hard to have a conversation with someone who doesn't speak the same language. I love you and I am still praying for you daily.
Loved
Your second MOM
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