Pick up the phone!

We live in a world our forefathers could barely have imagined. With communication at our fingertips. At any moment we can not only hear but see a friends face even if they are on the other side of the world. Amazing right!

But at the same time we live in a world where people seem to have less contact and meaningful relationships than ever before. Superficial is not just a word. Why is that? Have you found your phone ringing off the hook during isolation?

Have you been ringing up all your buddies and chatting away for hours looking at their lovely faces through the screen? Maybe. At least with one or two. Hopefully.

Maybe it’s because we’ve grown up in a society that values busyness above relationships. And somehow in the mix we have believed the thought that everyone is probably too busy to be bothered. Because a ringing phone is a bother. So we send a little text instead. We settle for much less personal interaction.

So I have five children who all want my attention. Yet I don’t feel like a friend ever intrudes if they phone me. I value friendship. It makes me a better mother. Friendship enriches my life.

Which would you prefer. Telling a friend you’ll call them back because you are in the middle of something or them not ringing you in case you are in the middle of something?

Maybe we’ve been duped into thinking it’s time wasting to spend time with a friend when you could be doing something productive. The fact is that friendship nourishes you on the inside which in turn makes you much more productive. A problem shared is a problem halved…

But nothing will change till you pick up the phone and discover how many of your friends find it annoying that you disturbed their busy lives. And don’t forget that you are a gift to others. A gift from Above meant to be shared. Meant to encourage.

I know it feels awkward. I mean two months in isolation and you haven’t rung them and they haven’t rung you. What does it matter? It’s never too late to build your friendship. In fact it’s waiting like a flower dying of thirst for a smile and a ‘How are you.’