How Late Is Too Late?

I've had a few friends in my lifetime. One close friend for each season of life. Until now. 

Oh...don't get me wrong. I do have those I call friend. Some closer than others. And I do think should I truly need time with any of them, they would be here as soon as the on-going demands of life would allow. And one I could most likely empty my thoughts on and she would listen and respond with kindness purposefully tucked inside the wisdom she'd share. She may even get really serious, and say, "Mary...you've got it all wrong. You've honestly over-thought this one." Maybe. But, this friend leans more towards being compassionate, even if she would prefer setting me straight in no uncertain terms. The only thing is...she doesn't live in North Carolina.

We live far enough away from each other, there's never a time for "Can I come over for coffee," talks. Or, "What's up buttercup?" talks. There's no laughing until our sides hurt. No searching for random (mapped out & planned) garage sales to pilfer through. That really was never my thing, anyway. 

Even when my friend and I of years long past would visit those crazy garage sales I rarely enjoyed going through others throw-aways...especially when they were just thrown in boxes where one must dig through the excess. But it was always fun to be with my friend, watching as she found treasures while I drank my coffee and ate a donut we'd picked up before heading out towards the maze of sales...all while sitting inside her cozy van. She was the "crazy" one. Ready for any fun anyone might throw her way. Me? I was the more serious one. Fun stuff usually scared me more than made me laugh. We were the pair, for sure. Great memories...

But, those days are over. The years have come and gone. The time for sharing what's inside of me seems to have no outlet. It's totally my fault. I have chosen to be a recluse of sorts. I've chosen to stay close to home. Even when I do venture out to a grocery store, there are rarely plans to shop elsewhere while out and about. There is very little contact with those who walk the planet, and very little desire to. And, there-in lies the problem.

Here's what I am missing, according to Scripture, because of the choices I've made since my last close friend stepped into eternity:

• Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother (or sister) is born for a time of adversity." (Someone to help us through the rough times in life)

• Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Oh boy! Is that ever true!)

• John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (They sacrifice their time, their own needs in the moment, to meet your needs of the moment.)

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." (mentally and emotionally)

• Proverbs 27:9 says, "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." (A place of peace, in place of chaos..a safe place)

• Proverbs 18:24 says, "...there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." (Pretty sure this one is talking about our Lord and Saviour, not necessarily a human friend...but could be).

I've never been one to accept the status quo. To just sit back and fold my hands as if there is nothing more to do. Nothing more that can be done in the time left. I've held on to whatever my life was at the time, so hard, it became difficult to release. And now...if feels as if I've allowed my hands to open enough to drop everything. Everything they've ever known to sustain life. Yet, I know that can't be true.

Why am I struggling with this season of life? It's not that I am unappreciative of what I have, nor of what God's grace has extended to me. I do love my life as it is. It doesn't have a ton of commitments, but just enough to make me feel needed (kinda...at least not replaceable). I do love my small, but comfortable home. I do love my family and hope I never have to live far from them. I even love the non-essentials of life, like my garden and the greenhouse that offers a spike in endorphins every time I walk through the door. Yet...

The transition of working, to not working, has been harder than I thought it might be. During work, I saw many people; people with different personalities, people with opposing views, people who I enjoyed visiting with and those who I shared life with.  

And now...it just feels as if I'm missing something. 🤔

Tell me...do you believe friends are necessary to have a fulfilled life?

As always, here you will find me...in Mary's World. 

#myjourneyamongtheunseen #retirementwoes #friendsforlife #peaksandvalleys #lifesheartbeat #worth