So far this blog had just been some random, albeit important, thoughts I’ve had about God. Oh, and that one about my running, WHICH by the way I’m doing again tonight. I’m shooting for that 1.3 mile distance again. Why don’t I increase it? I don’t feel like it. I am also planning to hike 13 miles tomorrow…until YOU are doing that I dont’ wanna hear it…so there.
Anyway, as I was saying. This blog has been pretty much all about me…and it is most likely gonna stay that way. Often though, especially recently, when I think of “me” it also has to do with God. Why? Glad you asked…
The friends I have. Why do I have THEM?…and why do they have ME?
Let me explain something upfront so that there is no confusion. I am very capable of being a BAD FRIEND. I rarely return phone calls if I answer the phone at all. I usually think of how someone else’s plans are going to effect me and make decisions about my friends based on that. I like to surround myself with other “intelligent” people because stupid people annoy me (another topic for another blog). Finally, I choose people who have the same interests I do. While this last one may not seem like a bad thing, it often limits the ability I have to think “outside my box”.
Based on all that…why do my friends put up with me?
I have friends currently that I’ve been close to and have maintained weekly (if not multiple times weekly) contact with for over 15 years. I’m 28. I can name at least 5 of these. These are guys that I would willingly step in front of a bus for. They all seem to have these important lives and incredible character traits that I don’t possess. Essentially, I am extremely thankful for my friends, and wouldn’t trade them for the world. I could name them, but that’s useless. You know who you are.
Why did these people choose me as a friend? Do I bring something into their lives they need, or am I just “that guy that has always been a friend”…I have to believe that God had something to do with this. No, wait…he DID have something to do with this, I’m sure of it. As I said at the beginning of this blog, when I think of the things that are going on with me, I’m looking at those things and looking for God. I wonder if anyone else does this…
As I live my life I’m learning that friends with this amount of involvement and caring are few and far between for most people. It has made me take pause and think about what I’ve sown into these people’s lives, and is it really WORTH anything? Am I taking the time to make sure I give the best advice for what they are going through, or is it just my hip-shot opinion? Am I taking the time to make sure that they know how much I care?
I don’t know.
So here’s my resolution…to be a better friend. I’m making this before the New Year because I think those are stupid and empty. This one I want to be started because I see a true need for it.
I’ll let you know how good a friend I feel like being after I spend some hours in the woods with some of them tomorrow. Should be fun!