Reflect
“Can we talk this weekend?” texted my long-distance friend. After the recent death of her cousin, it had become important that she stay in closer touch with friends. We spoke of illness, the loss of friends over the years, and the realization of her, and my, mortality. “I might call you every day,” she said (teasingly, I think). “If I don’t answer, leave a message,” I replied (seriously). “I love your voice.”
Pray
Loving God,
your Son showed us
what friendship looks like
through his bond with Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
Thank you for steadfast friends in my life,
who know when
to invite me for a drink,
take a walk,
or chat for an hour on the phone
about books, movies or personal crises.
Help me to be a worthy friend in return.
Act
Spend a little extra time this week linking up with friends. If they live close, invite them for a walk in a park, or their neighborhood. If distance is an issue, call and leave an uplifting message, inviting a return call. Or, if like me, you love selecting just the right greeting card, browse the aisles of a grocery store or card shop, and pen a short message of friendship, before you stamp and seal the card and drop it in the mail.
