“More Flexibility…”

First thing yesterday morning, my phone chimed the familiar “bing.” I had a text message. It was my dear friend, Tameka.

Since u have the girls 2nite what do u think about us just coming over 2 ur house and bringing takeout?

After literally weeks of back and forth with four busy friends trying to find a time for a girls night, I had finally said I couldn’t go—Pete had school; I had the girls. I couldn’t make it—They should go without me. My friends did not accept that response.

Why was I so surprised by their thoughtfulness? I wondered. That is what friends do.

Less than an hour later as I drove to work, my phone chimed again. “Bing!” Another text…this time, from my friend and co-worker, Nicole.

Extra hot, please.

What? I thought. What is she talking about?

?? I sent back.

Skinny vanilla latte, extra hot, please.

On occasion, when I stop for a latte, I pick one up for Nicole, but I hadn’t offered this morning. She must really need a coffee, I thought, chuckling…and after a minute I realized, and that is the kind of stuff friends do for each other. So, I stopped to get her (and me!) a coffee.

The events of the morning were good exercise for my brain. Somewhere over the years, I’ve gotten a little too quick to think, I can’t do that. That doesn’t fit my schedule. My brain has lost some of its flexibility, especially when it comes to fun and time for friends. And the fact is, while I do have responsibilities—I need to make time for my girlfriends. And we can make time for each other—whether it’s a couple minutes to place a call, send a text, or pick up a coffee—or a whole evening together over Thai takeout.

To make it work, we need to anticipate and respond to others’ needs with flexibility.

Why? Because that is what friends do.

My girl friends make my life deeper, richer, and way more fun. I am thankful that when I say I am too busy, they don’t give up on me. I am thankful they challenge me to be flexible and remind me that there is more to life that just day-to-day responsibility.

So I’m in pursuit of more flexibility and more time with friends….

Life is so much better that way! :)