Lately I've found myself craving connection and longing for a deep conversation...you know the ones that go beyond, "What are you doing today?", "Is everyone healthy?", "Tie yours shoes, pick up those toys!" "What should we have for supper?" Exchanging these words are important, but we were created for more.
More than a quick hello and a 140 character post on Twitter...don't get me wrong technology isn't necessarily a bad thing, but we can't allow it to become the only thing. Relying on the perfect pictures and posts from Facebook to keep us connected can do some damage - one, it's pretty much surface level communication and two, the perfect world Facebook presents really doesn't exist.
If you or I depend on anything but good ole real face to face, heart to heart interaction to keep us connected we're setting ourselves up for trouble. We're simply building friendships that won't last; ones that won't make much of a difference in our own lives or that of the others.
My husband is a farmer and I won't claim to know much about crops and all it takes to make them grow, but I know the soil is important. In order for our corn to grow, my husband takes care of the soil...if the roots can't grow down, the corn won't grow up. Well it could grow up, but when the winds blow or the drought comes it won't stand for long.
Friend, I believe the same is true for the relationships in our lives. If we don't take the time to really invest in them, go beyond the surface and make the effort to connect not just with a status update, but instead by sharing our heart, they will not stand when the test comes. And isn't that when we really need our friends?
These are thoughts I've needed to hear and I pray they are words that speak to you as well! But before I close, one final thing: as I've been thinking about all of this God has reminded me, the same is true for my relationship with Him. There are moments I need to send a quick prayer His way and times I can read a short verse, but if I want to build a real, solid relationship with Him (and I do), I must spend time and share my heart. It will be a sacrifice, but the investment will make an eternal difference!
I pray you will join me in making a deposit in your relationships today!! I'd love for you to share how you do just that!!
5 comments:
Thank you, Jill. I have begun to purposely turn off the multiple social apps after a certain amount of time and get on the phone or visit with a friend. It's something I want to example for my kids so they don't become tech-dependent as so many of their peers are. They've lost that human connection that we were created to enjoy as a gift from our Father.
I agree with you, although I do think there's a time and place for social media too. Facebook gives me the opportunity to connect with some people I may never have a chance to otherwise. But they're not those deep heart to heart connections...most of the time. Relying on social media for connection will leave us feeling relationally anemic. I would rather sit down face to face with a friend like you. :) Let's do that soon, instead of just talking about it. ((HUG))
Yes, thinking about the example we set for our kids in this area is very important as well!! Thanks for sharing!
Oh Rachel I agree...FB, blogs, email has connected me with ones I never thought I would and I'm blessed by those connections. But sometimes I think it hinders my friendship with those I actually see... I love your description - "relationally anemic" - that is good! And yes, let's get together soon!!! Good to talk with you today!!
I just had a phone conversation with a good friend yesterday, and it was SO good to hear her voice. And our conversation went MUCH deeper than it would have if we had simply messaged one another.
Thanks for this great illustration, Jill. I love the way you think and the way God speaks to you. :)
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