What do you get out of your friendships?

 

 

What do you get out of your friendships?

Exactly what you put into them, so don't acted surprised later.

 

 

 

I truly have enjoyed keeping my blog. I like to think that if one day I'm dead and gone from this earth, that there will still be a hand full of people who occasionally stumble across my web page.

 

 

I keep several journals. A few personal ones and one for each of my children. If I need to express myself to someone, I best do it through a card or letter. Just ask Grant. ;) Even though some conversations are meant to be only face to face or on the phone, sometimes I prefer texting if that's appropriate because I feel I just make the most sense when I am able to write, reread and proofread whatever it was that came out of my head.

 

 

Grants cousin, Tessa, said the other day she has so many cards from me. I hope she keeps those for a long time. She helped me grow spiritually more than just about anyone else did the first year I was saved. Most convictions I have today I formed because I was under her influence for about a year and a half.

 

 

I like to write Jason and Anna, the man who gave his testimony and the woman who prayed with me the night I was saved, a letter to tell them how much I appreciate them each year around the time I was saved. That's been ten years ago. They will keep getting a card until I can't physically walk to the mail box anymore. Jason called about a month ago and said that the letter I sent him would go in his memory box.

 

 

My mom said when she went to visit my older brother a little over a year ago, that he had this chicken wire thing in his house that had things hung on it that me and Raylea had sent him.

 

 

When my Grandpa Stegeman passed away, almost 9 years ago, my sister said as she was going through things with our Granny, and that she came across several cards that I had sent him. He died from cancer.

 

 

My sister in law Morgan sent me a text picture a while back of a card I had sent her shortly after I met her. We were friends before we were sister in laws, which is pretty cool.

 

 

My friend Crosby told me a while back that she found a bunch of cards I sent to her, I think while she was in college.

 

 

 

 

What's the trend here?

 

 

People keep letters.

 

People keep kind words.

 

 

 

Why?

 

 

Because first off, people have to go out of there way to find a card, take about five minutes to neatly write a message that takes thought and time, find an envelope that fits the card, find the address, find a stamp, (or the correct change like I do) and walk or drive it to your mail box.

 

 

 

 

I rarely get cards. But when I do, trust me, I save them! That is why I, since I was a kid, I have enjoyed sending people mail. I remember when Grant and I first were married, and a lady named Linda Rhodes said to me "I know the boys like to hunt, Danny likes music, Rhonda loves to shop.. what is your hobby though?"

 

I will never forget that because not many people care what another persons hobby is.

 

 

I told her I loved to read and write. I loved sending cards to people.

 

 

That week she came to me with a gift. I opened it up and to this day, I have never been given a more thoughtful present. She gave me the book called "Rachel's Tears" and 100 cards and 100 stamps.

 

Linda has went on to be with the Lord, but I wish so badly I could sit down and write her and tell her again how that still means so much to me. And always will.

 

 

 

I guess I wanted to just remind you that sometimes a card makes a persons day.

 

 

I consider it a ministry. I believe God uses my words to encourage people, and there isn't anything more I would want to do. No, I'm not on stage or have a public platform for everyone to see, but when I have a person laid on my heart to write, and I am able to send them a card and pray over it, I have a such a peace in knowing I did exactly what I am called to do.


Write.

I like write, call and check in with people as often as possible because I am true believer in the first statement I wrote today. You will truly get out of a friendship what you are willing to put into it. Now, I'm not going to lie, there are multiple people in my life who I write, call and give my love to, and I rarely get back. That isn't the point in me being friends with them, or befriending them. Some of them are in my family. Some are in Grant's. Some are people I have no relationship to, but I have felt led to show them love, because they just might not know how to show it back.


If you have friends, show them you love them. I think what the saddest thing about our modern day society is, besides the fact that as a whole we are becoming less like Jesus Christ, is the fact that nothing is personable and private and takes much thought anymore.



It's your mom's birthday? Just shoot her a message on Facebook.



It's Mother's Day? Send her a text, or a call, if you really feel loving...



It's your spouses birthday? Post a picture of them on your social media and proclaim to the world how much you love them, and then forget to tell them to their face later...



Your best bud is going through a hard time? Or maybe a super happy time?
Again, a Facebook message or text should be a good enough Band-Aid or congrats, right?



 

 What happened to cards? Home cooked meals? Having friends over for a cookout? Sending someone flowers? Taking someone their favorite Sonic drink? Writing a note to just tell them how much they mean.


It doesn't take a million bucks to be a friend. It doesn't even take buying them something. But it does take you investing SOMETHING into them. Time, prayer, love, a helping hand and yes, money if you want to buy them something.




Don't be surprised if one day you look around and you have few, or any friends at all, if you never take time to invest in them. People need love. People need to know they are appreciated. People need affirmation!



Our society is so self centered, we think about how we can improve everything in our lives, get a better hairstyle then her, have you kids nicer things then anyone their age, have a higher college degree so you can brag about, get, get, and get.. for yourself!




Why don't we practice GIVING, instead of GETTING?


 

 

Why don't you consider taking time to write someone today? I like to think about people who probably don't always get mail. Sure, you can write your mom or best friend, they need encouragement too! But, consider writing someone who doesn't have much family or many friends. Or who's just going through a tough time.

 

 

I promise you'll make someone's day if you'll take some time and write them.

 

 

 

 

Happy Writing. :)