College was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved every minute. One of the reasons I enjoyed college so much was because I always had friends around me. It was easy to spend time with those I cared about.
Now that I’m in the “real world”, it’s much harder to carve time to spend with my friends. My days are filled with working and spending time with my husband, Matthew and son, Elias.
Is this true for you too?
Do you sometimes find it difficult to make time for your friends?
I’ve learned that it’s important to be creative with my schedule to allow time to spend with friends, doing things like:
- quick lunches on my lunch break
- coffee after Elias has gone to bed
- a bible study every other Monday night
- play dates (the kids play and we catch up!)
It’s also important to connect with friends who live far away. Some of the ways I do that are through:
- phone calls
- emails
- letters (there’s nothing like receiving a card in the mail)
- text messages
- Facebook messages
I think sometimes we become so wrapped up in our work and and home lives that we don’t allow time for friendship.
But friendship is incredibly important.
Throughout the Bible, we see the value of friendship. Jesus did his most important work surrounded by friends.
So even when life gets busy, let’s be sure to take time for our friends. Not only will it bless our lives, but it will bless the lives of our friends as well.
How do you make time for your friends?
by Jessica Turner, The Mom Creative
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When I hear myself say, “Hey, we’ve got to get together sometime,” I try to make a specific date or call within a day or two to do that. Otherwise it gets away from me and I’m trailing a long line of “Hey, we gotta get together” behind me with no action.
With my oldest & dearest friend, who lives far from me, we try to get together somewhere every couple of years, just the two of us. A long weekend. My husband feels it’s essential, but I always feel I have to give myself permission to do it.
A much-needed post, this. We must be INTENTIONAL about this. It’s becoming a lost art and the losers are us.
this is so true! Just went for a long needed “coffee time” with my college friend yesterday! Life is too busy NOT to take the time to spend it with those you love. You make the time for what you really want to do.
Ahhhh, those college days of friendship – I really think we bond so deeply because of all the life experiences and decisions determined in that season. We have committed to a Girlfriend Roomate Reunion every year and it is SUCH an anticipated event! In truth, some of us never even ‘roomed’ together, but we so did life together. Most years, not all of us can get together, but this year all FIVE of us will be gathering in Austin, TX for a fun-filled 48 hours of sweetness. We are located throughout the US: East Coast to West and one in the middle! But it is a priority and our families are supportive.
In the meantime, we catch up with weekly Friday updates and phone calls and prayer requests.
For local pals, we meet for lunch, play dates, church connections and child-free Bible study.
I don’t know how I would have survived my seasons of pain without the support and help of friends. The investment now WILL reap a harvest of blessings.
I often say that if I still have friends on the “other” side of kids, it will be a miracle. I’m sort-of kidding. 🙂
The girls in our couples’ small group try to get together every Wednesday for lunch during the school year (summer is too hard). Whoever is available just shows up, and it’s a great way to keep those connections.
Jess, this is such a great reminder. I try to set up regular times with friends–like a weekly lunch date (confession: I have been slacking on this lately). I need to get back to that again. Also, because I love words I use e-mail to stay connected when we can’t be together face-to-face. (Not a substitute but a nice filler.) Speaking of, I can’t wait to see you again! Thanks for your heart for friendship–I’ve been blessed by yours!!
SO true… I am so great at connecting w/folks that I don’t live near! It seems like when you live local, then it is so easy to say, “Oh, I’ll see them next week” but then you never do – great reminder thank you
Now more than ever, I’ve learned how important it is to make time to nurture friendships. If you don’t they will surely die. Since I have moved three states away from my closest friends, we call, text, send emails, or drop a note in the mail at least once a week to keep in touch. Then, once a year, we all get together for a weekend to hang out. The friends that I have locally, we try and get together for a playdate, or mom’s night out. Granted it is a bit harder in the summer, but nevertheless, we make an effort.
Wow. Friends. I love my friends but I really don’t have time for girl time much any more. I know I need to! I should! I need conversation and fun that does revolve around icy pops and Nerf guns. My friends and I do see each other at church or keep in touch online, but girl time is just not happening. 🙁 Thanks for the reminder. I need to call a friend.
Whoops! That SHOULD say ‘girl time that DOES NOT revolve around icy pops and Nerf guns’!
It’s so true. I really felt isolated as a mom of little ones. I’m happy that moms now have so many more ways to connect–texting, blogging, facebook. Those short, day to day connections are great for helping build bigger face to face friendships.
Now that my kids are teens, I’m finding new challenges in the friends department. We’ve all gone back to work full time and are feeling the financial crunch of having kids in college-or soon to be there. But it’s so important to make and keep those friendships. For me, it’s an important way to hear God’s voice–and to just have fun.
I am so looking forward to a certain phone call soon! Lord willing! 🙂
You are an unspeakable blessing, Jessica…. (I’m typing this with the silliest of grins and the happiest of hearts!)
I seriously think texting has saved one friendship and helped me enjoy another OH so much more. 🙂 But the random card in the mail? I am such a fan of that. I try to do it whenever I think of it, just because. It can be so tough to keep up with friends and a job and a baby, you are so right that you have to be creative about finding the time!