There is something so special about the connection of our female friendships. It’s in these relationships where I’ve learned the value of emotional vulnerability and how deep connections become the constant and stay of life.
I’m in a season of life now where much of my time is spent with my Main Squeeze and that’s wonderful and an answer to so many prayers from literally decades of praying. But, I also feel like I’ve been in a wilderness season of having really good, quality time spent with my girl friends. Where simply hanging out and talking happens far too infrequently.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind. Work tasks, home maintenance, chores and projects and the regular rhythm of life are so engrossing.
Sometimes these catch-ups are spontaneous, which is always a delightful gift. And sometimes a simple, planned invite is all that’s needed to facilitate.
While thinking of ways to be more intentional about nurturing relationships in my broader circle, I’ve come up with a few ideas.
Gather for a common interest.
Church is a great weekly routine where we’re able to connect with community and God. This is my chosen common interest to get back into the routine of regularly connecting with others.
Other common interests could be a book club, a physical activity like a sport, hobby, Star Wars, Jane Austen. I find that if you’re interested in something, there’s got to be someone else who’s also interested.
Leverage an extended invitation.
A friend of mine recently extended an invite to me and another mutual friend for us to get together for dinner. I’m so grateful she did because it allowed me to invite them both over to my home for our time together. Not only was it absolutely lovely to be in each others’ company and allow the time to catch-up and talk about life and things going on, but it was such a gift to me to invite them into my home and nourish them with good food. Our time together nurtured our relationships and our bodies.
Be the one to initiate.
I’m out of practice with this one, to be honest with you. I think I had gotten much better about initiating hang-outs with friends before the pandemic. Afterwards, it became way too easy to just crawl into my introverted shell and not put myself out there, for various reasons and certain factors. But, after a flurry of events with different friends in a short period of time, it’s reminded me how I’ve never regretted (well, hardly ever) initiating hanging out with someone. And, as I write this, I can think of one person I’d like to extend a “hey, would you like to come over for some iced tea sometime because I think we’d have things in common to talk about.”
And so, if you’re like me and it’s just super easy to be a bit of a recluse and hang with your usual people, I’d like to encourage you (and me!) to take a step to reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to or seen in awhile. See what happens. It could be the soul-feeding thing you both need.
