Connected....Not so much lately....

And I don't think that's a good thing:(  Today as I rolled over to peer at the clock and it said 7:51, I really just wanted to roll back over and close my eyes.  Instead, I forced myself to get up, get the kids around and be out the door by 8:40 to make it to the 9:00 service.  And I am SO glad I did!!!  Ever have those moments in church where you think the pastor is talking directly to you?! Today was one of those for me....It was about "Connecting" and how we ALL need to do it.  We need to have relationships. We need to reach out to others i.e. family, friends. Here are the words that resonated with me the most....Loneliness is a choice.  To me, they were more like fingers on a chalkboard. I've been "lonely" for some time now.  Probably a good six months or so but especially this summer.  With John being gone all the time, it does get lonely but I don't think that's what Denny was talking about today.  At the end of the sermon, we took a quiz "Are you connected?" and unfortunately, I think I failed.  Some of the questions included....

1. Do you have someone to call when you are having a bad day?
2. Do you have a friend you can just drop in on anytime without having to call ahead of time?
3. Do you have a friend you can tell your deepest fears/worries to?
4. Do you have a friend who "knows" you?

There were 6 questions total and I just paraphrased these but it got me thinking. Why am I NOT connected anymore?! I used to be SO much....I think I just got pigheaded.  Didn't want to be the one to make the first phone call or drop the first email.  I actually got to the point where I felt I was the friend people found "annoying". Calls too much, talks too much etc. etc.  Believe me, relationships are a very keypoint in my life so for me to slowly see them slip away is heart-wrenching at times. 

Unfortunately, letting life get in the way is part of my reason for loosing connections too.  I have gotten to a point where I don't want to be the friend everyone feels sorry for.  Maybe that shouldn't matter. Maybe I should spill my guts....It's strange some of my happiest days have come from reconnecting with my husband, my children, my family.  We've learned that all we have is each other. Money cannot bring happiness. Neither can a home, a new car, new clothes etc. etc.  I've wrestled with a lot of demons these past few months and this one hit the nail on the head today.  

I do have friends out there.  I think I've lost some along the way too but there are relationships out there that I need to nurture....Hopefully, I can begin to work on these issues and get connected.  If you missed today's sermon, I encourage you to listen.  Do you need encouragement? Can you be encouragement to another?  Is your door always open? Do you have a friend to go to in a time of need?  Do you have a friend you find joy with?  LOTS to think about!!!