Friends

Last night I had the great joy of sitting and talking briefly with some friends that I don't see very often. As I was driving home I thought about how much fun that brief, unplanned encounter had been. My face was actually sore from smiling so much and laughing so hard. "Why don't I do that more," I thought. How I love just hanging out with people. It was spontaneous; it was safe; most of all it was energizing. I actually felt stronger for being with them. I need to spend more time with friends who encourage me like that. Not necessarily in what they say, but just in being there and being real. I think there is a very important reason why being with friends is so uplifting. We need each other. We were created for relationship...with God first, but with each other as well. I know I am guilty of jam packing my schedule with everything "else" to do and forgetting to slow down and sit and enjoy the friends God has brought into my life, "for such a time as this."

So all this is to say, I'm thankful for those of you who I am allowed to call friend. I am thankful for the brief times we get to share together. I especially love those of you who make me laugh. And I want to remind everyone...make time for people. Even though all of our days are full; it could be the energy boost we need to make it through one more day with a little more joy.