I am working hard to be sure the message has urgency, and doesn't just feel like a casual, lightweight Memorial Day message. I think a lot of people these days consider friendship to be optional...a luxury in life compared to work and family and volunteering, etc. C.S. Lewis once wrote that:
"...many people seem to view friendship as something quite marginal - not a main course
in life's banquet; a diversion; something that fills up the chinks of one's time."
(C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves)
I truly believe that we were designed for deep, meaningful community with a few people - not including marriage or family relationships. But so many of us fail to invest in the cultivation of friendship, which is truly what is required for any friendships to develop beyond superficiality. All too often our friends are the "last on our list" of obligations.
Then when we go through a season of winter, a time of great difficulty, we discover that our friendships haven't been built strong enough. When we most need friends to show up, we will regret not investing more in those relationships. This is also true when we are looking for someone to raucously celebrate one of our peak moments.
So what do you think? How intentional are you about taking your friendships to the next level of love and support? How hard is it for you to make this a priority?