Who You Gonna Call?

I have 700+ "friends" on Facebook but I did not know who to call when things fell to pieces in my family last week. It's my own fault. Since moving to the Kitchener-Waterloo area I have been a church nomad, neglecting any attempt to find a circle of friends. In fact, I'm quite hesitant to wiggle my way into any person(s) lives. Although I'm not an introvert nor antisocial, initiating social activity is not a personal forte. Faced with the choice of asking someone else to do something or staying at home with a good book or the latest episode of CSI, I usually choose the latter.

I usually choose the latter when life is average and everyday. When life turns ugly, it's nice to have someone who is close enough to call, go out for coffee, and talk to in person. I am thankful for my co-workers and the struggle within my family seems to fortify our loyalty and love for one another. Actually, dear friends from Bolivia skyped me in close succession after everything went south a few days ago. Adreana, my former housemate, called with the tragic but humourous account of our dog, Risky's death. The day after that conversation, I received an envelope in the mail from Adreana that contained a brief note and a change wallet that not only looked like a rodent but was fashioned from rat fur. I was a little afraid to open it, thinking that the tuft of hair protruding from that first tear was some sick memoir of Risky that she wanted me to have. Two other friends, Timmy and Melinda Barr, called and a chat with them is always good for a laugh or twenty too. Those calls were a sweet and welcome distraction from the sad reality of these present days.

When present day reality is hard to bear and friends seem rare, it is easy to look back and long for days gone by or to wish for better days to come. In recent speaking engagements, I addressed that human tendency. We are created for relationship and community. We long for it and when we lose it, we try to recreate it or keep it together even as it crumbles. Yet, human relationships are not God's ultimate end for us. More importantly, we are made to commune with him and we should hang on to all other connections loosely. God's grace and his friendship are sufficient...but I still like coffee, so feel free to give me a call, my treat.