As a sad recovering procrastinator, I recently said goodbye to a dear friend who moved away. Once a month we met for lunch, shared a lemon dessert, then retreated to her car for prayer. I pray for another such friend for her in her new location. We have agreed to continue meeting monthly by phone. That will be a challenge worth tackling.
If we had put off meeting, we’d have lost out on so much. Because we carved out the time to meet, we have a shared history. We missed sometimes but we kept on. I’m grateful for other ladies with whom I meet monthly as a group. We eat, chat, laugh, cry, read scripture, pray. We miss sometimes, but we keep on.
Recently I realized there are women I consider good friends yet I hardly spend any time with them. In any season, it’s a challenge trying to figure out the logistics of getting time together.
These ideas may spark more:
Drive together – Even with kids in the car it is possible to have a meeting of the hearts! One friend, her son, and I drove together each Wednesday to Bible study then afterwards did grocery shopping and errands. Her little boy once said, “Y’all go anywhere – ANYWHERE – but the fabric store!”
Maximize a short time– When I taught school, my pastor’s wife came each Tuesday during my free period to meet with me.
Designate a regular time – “If it’s Thursday, it’s Ana.” For four years this dear friend and I met every Thursday afternoon. Frequently interrupted by little ones, we learned childrearing together. We still managed to cross stitch, memorize scripture, pray, and talk – a lot!
Exercise – It’s fun with walking partners, strollers, and dogs!
Tack on – Arrange for lunch, coffee, or playtime after a meeting. Several moms at church take sack lunches to enjoy after Bible study while kids hit the playground.
Work a project – Think quilting bee or sewing circle. I heard of some ladies who meet to iron clothes together!
Enable each other – One young woman wanted to meet with my friend who was fully scheduled with children and chores. So, each week the younger helped the older with housework for one hour in exchange for one hour of discipling time.
Team up – Jointly hire a sitter. Then go shopping as two adults (Wahoo!) or have a quiet talk in the park.
The point is to be deliberate and persevere in order to enjoy and enrich our lives through friendships. It’s a challenge worth tackling.
What ideas have you tried for connecting with others? What new ones come to mind?
I belong to a quilt bee (10 members) that meets monthly in each others homes. We share a brunch and talk about what’s happening in our lives. Many are cancer survivors and or have husbands with cancer. Although several are not Christians, we volunteer to pray for them. we have been together for many years and are a close knit group. We share our quilting projects and get help if needed. Usually after Guild meetings we goo out to lunch together and share some more.
Joyce, this is wonderful! You must really look forward to getting together every month! Meeting in each others’ homes is so nice because you get to know each other even better that way. It’s just more personal. It’s terrific that those who are not Christians are also a part and are prayed for by loving friends. I’d like to be a fly on the wall to see your beautiful quilts and witness your sweet fellowship. You have walked through many things together. This is my kind of group – starts with brunch and ends with lunch!