As we post pictures on our porches during this quarantine, I know there is more happening in our hearts than sweatpants and messy hair days.
One thing I hear in this time of quarantine is that we as a generation are lonely. How can we find and create authentic relationships? It won’t be all of your friendships, and it doesn’t need to be. We need some genuine connections.
Try some friends out.
If life seems lonely, send out a group message and ask a group of gals if they want to start to meet up for a girl’s night. You can begin that virtually. Set a standing time once a month, maybe after your kids go to bed if that’s your phase, and gather a group where you can let some people in.
If you show your cards about a situation, they will do one of two things: either they will show theirs, or they will back away. If they back away, that’s okay…they might not be looking for what you are looking for, or they just aren’t ready.
It will take more time with some friends than others. If they lean in too, taking even a sliver of the facade away, be safe. Hold that information with the utmost care. If they are upset because their cat is sick or they tell you what their great great great aunt meant in their life, tuck that away in the treasure chest of friendship. Don’t tell your sister…don’t tell your other friend…don’t tell your husband. You’ve been trusted. Now be safe.
Authenticity is good for the soul. In being known, a friend can pull out the strengths they see in you. They can also save you when they see your heart go astray, maybe before you can see it. That will take time, but it will come as you invest in your friends, and they invest in you.
Give it a try. Ask God to lead you to your people. It’s going to take some effort and intention. It’s going to take some choosing to work on things and begin again. It’s going to take some honesty and maybe at some points, some discomfort. But once you’ve done life together, you will refuse to go it alone.
HLLF,
