About the Author

Kayla Craig is the author of “To Light Their Way" and "Every Season Sacred" and creator of Liturgies for Parents. A former journalist, she’s adamant about paying attention and staying curious. She writes the popular "Year of Breath" devotional newsletter and lives in Iowa with her husband and four wild,...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Kayla, thanks for sharing your heart’s experiences in such a vulnerable, transparent way. I believe many more people can relate to this in our post pandemic, device driven society. Kudos to you for bringing this challenge of social connection further into the light and offering practical ways to grow in connections with others.
    “Where two or more are gathered, there God is found.”

  2. Kayla,

    I just shared your devotion because I think that so many women struggle making connections.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Wishing you summer joy for your family,

    Fellow author,
    Lisa Wilt

  3. I’d add, on a practical note, focusing on the other people who aren’t plugged in yet, after you’ve moved to a new place, can improve the chances that the person you’re asking has the bandwidth to say yes. Even people who have been in a location forever and who have local extended family, etc., can turn out to have the space to be good friends, *but* often the people who have a large network already just don’t have any more slots open right now (either sheer time/energy constraints or introvert people-exposure-per-day constraints), so people who are also new here, or who are also seeking friendship, or who do have a bunch of empty slots are more likely to say yes. (which is the other note: when you ask someone for coffee or whatever and are turned down or indefinitely postponed: most often it’s not about you at all, it’s about them already being overwhelmed! Sometimes it’s easier to keep on asking more potential new friends if we realize that much of the time, it’s not *us* it’s busy-ness!)

  4. My husband and I are recently retired. We lived in our previous area for about 60+ years. Now that we’ve moved south from the north it’s been impossible for us to connect! Neighbors are very nice, but have full schedules and busy lives.
    We left family and friends because of the long winters however we’re not sure if we’re going to stay here. God goes before us we keep telling ourselves. It definitely tough.

    • Praying for you and your husband as you discern whether to stay or go. (I’m in Iowa and can understand the urge to get out of long winters!)

  5. Kayla,
    This was so timely! My husband and I have recently started attending a new church and I am feeling a bit disconnected. Often feel like I am looking from the outside and watching everyone else having conversations and connections.
    Thanks for the reminder it takes time to make meaningful relationships. Love your suggestions on how to build those relationships! So practical.

  6. Kayla,

    Making friends as we age is a bit more difficult. At church we have a fellowship time. I go around sayin hello to everyone-especially the newbies. Trying to make them feel welcome. Volunteering is another way I make friends. Sometimes we have to take that first step towards someone. Be the one to initiate a friendship. Simply put don’t wait for people to come to you. Be the one to go first.

    Blessings 🙂