Friendships That Don't Change

Last weekend I had the opportunity to see so many good friends from my years at Taylor University.  Although the drive was long, the time with people that I haven't seen since graduating made it worth it. It's funny how friendships can be picked up after 11 years.  I am so thankful for the friendships that God gave me at Taylor and this opportunity to catch up with people.  

One of the highlights of my time was the opportunity to spend time with friends from an organization that I was a part of while at Taylor.  The organization consisted of people that had spent some time growing up overseas.  Now these friends are scattered all over the world.  Since the organization was celebrating it's 25th anniversary, many graduates returned for homecoming.  We had fun visiting, playing soccer, and hearing stories (picture below).  

I also had the opportunity to tour the science center with some of the girls that lived on my floor.  It was fun to catch up, hear what is going on in their lives, and meet family members.  It brought back so many good memories of my time at Taylor with these good friends.  What a happy surprise to get to spend this time with them.  

In all of the recent transitions, I have been thinking a lot about friendship.  I can look back at friendships that have been so important at different stages of my life.  Sometimes, in the midst of transitions or busyness, those friendship no longer are at the forefront of my attention.  This doesn't decrease the importance of these friendships, but it seems that they have shifted to a different role.  Each friendship has built into my life in a different way and I wouldn't be the person I am without them.  True friendships are those that after 10 years, we can begin communication as if nothing ever happened.  I often grieve over the inability to keep up with all my friends from the different phases of my life, but then God reminds me that he wants me to engage fully where He has placed me.  It is hard to engage fully and still maintain strong bonds with those in another place ... this is the balance that I find myself trying to walk.  One in which I engage in the present, but still completely enjoy the past and look forward to the future.