Gravel Road Musings

  Creating a Keeping Relationships That Matter A few weeks ago, I was sitting with a group of friends and we were discussing friendships. And then I read this book and feel like it was very helpful. I want to be a good friend, but sometimes I get wrapped up in my own world and friendship gets set aside or becomes very me-focused.  "Any place you craft your image for social acceptance instead of authentic sharing will, at best, result in fans." Why is it so much easier to find a perfect picture and jazzy little comment to put on Facebook or Instagram than to sit down with cups of coffee and look at a real-life person and share what's really on my heart? Which choice will yield the greatest harvest? Yes, the social media picture might garner you 100s of likes, but does anyone know you better than they did yesterday? And does it really matter how many likes you got if, deep in your soul, you are still crying for real connection?  Friendship should point you to God. We were m...

Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World Are you looking for close-knit friendships, for that bosom friend that Anne of Green Gables longed for and found in Diana? Are you just hoping it will drop in your lap with no effort on your part? Well, you are in for a real surprise, but this book will help you learn to cultivate the qualities of friendship in your own life so you can be that friend that you want someone to be in your own life. It will also help you to reach out and take the initiative to make friends. In full disclosure, I started to read this book with a bit of bias. I struggle to fully connect with Sally--she seems so idealistic and so perfect in her motherhood that in my struggling, bumbling attempt at motherhood, I feel pretty imperfect and unqualified. But I thought adding in her daughters, this might be a good book. And I was right. I did appreciate this book. There were a lot of good thoughts and good ideas that I would like to incorporate into my own life...

Friends are the flower of life. I know that is a trite comment, but they really do brighten up my life. I have many friends; but a few really close ones, and they are just special to me in so many ways. Why the dialogue on friends? Well, because the other night Linwood and Jo and Raquel stopped in for a few hours on their way back from Stevens Point. It was such a great evening. Dave and I were so glad they went out of their way and stopped in to see us. We both enjoyed the evening so much. Thanks guys for doing this. It was a spur of the moment spontaneous visit that was just such a blessing. I felt revived and ready to finish out my week. The night before, my sister had been there overnight and I got to spend some good time with her as well. So all in all, it was a great week. Oh, and let me not forget to mention 2 good phone calls with 2 other friends. I really did have a "friendly" week. I love those kind and can't wait to hang out with 3 of my best friends...