Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Shotguns, Poker and Friendships

I had the opportunity to get away for a little bit this past weekend and it was awesome. I have a really busy life, but I was able to go and spend Friday night with a group of college friends at a Duck hunting club.
 
For the past 8 or so years, there has been a group of us guys who know each other from our college days at Seattle Pacific University that get together once a year and spend the weekend camping or at a cabin or something. The time is usually spent trying to relive old college memories, catch up on family, and occasionally an attempt at hitting the other guy in the privates. I know, its seems crass that a bunch of grown men would do this to each other, but when you did it for 4 years in college, I guess old habits die hard.
 
It was wonderful. It wasn't just that we were able to use shotguns and shoot clay pigeons out of the sky, or playing a 5 dollar poker game. It was the fact that after being out of college for 13 years, I'm still able to connect with this great bunch of guys and still be a part of their lives. Every guys life is different, some have kids, others don't, people have different types of careers, but we're all still connected.
 
One of the guys said that they had told someone that we all still get together after all these years and that it was rare. I don't know if it is rare or not, but I love it. Some of the guys I talk to throughout the year, but for some of them, this is the only time we get to spend some time with each other and catch up.
 
As we were driving home it made me think- why do so many people struggle with making good lasting relationships?
 
I think I may have a bit of insight- here it comes- you have to make it a priority. Its not something that happens by accident. Sure, you may become friends with that neighbor across the way that has lived there for years, but you still have to stop and talk to them when you come in or out of where you live.
 
People who have strong lasting relationships make it a priority in their lives to connect with other people.
 
Do you have good relationships with other people? Do you make connecting with others a priority? If not, you should. Its so enriching to share life with other people and connect with them on a personal level rather than a superficial level.
 
How do you that? Here's how- call them when you think about them. Send them a card. Join facebook. Go to church. Stop by unexpectedly. When you're in town, no matter how busy, stop by for 15 minutes just to say hi.
 
God created us for relationship, He never intended for us to isolate ourselves and be alone. Even Jesus had friends. People that he hung out with and spent time with. I'm sure they didn't stand around and play crass games like a bunch of old college guys do, but he still made connecting with people a priority.
 
Get connected. Be blessed
 
pastor matt

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