photo: © Alanpoulson | Dreamstime.com
Today I’m writing for Five Minute Friday (where you can find the rules) at Lisa-Jo Baker.com and Fellowship Friday #6 at Christian Mommy Blogger.com.
GO
Have you ever left a visit with someone you love with an empty feeling?
A feeling that comes from feeling that you didn’t connect?
Maybe the visit was a few hours…or a few days?
But the conversations never got beneath the surface
Of the mundane, the superficial, the news of the day…
A part of you wanted to ask the great question…
The one that would pierce through the noise and busy-ness.
Beneath the preoccupation with schedules and life
To what is going on in the heart and soul.
But somehow, it didn’t happen.
You never could figure out that amazingly great question.
You couldn’t find the right words.
And the words you found didn’t work out well.
You realized that maybe you were more of a stranger than you thought.
How did it happen?
Your close friend became a stranger and isn’t interested in the closeness you want.
STOP
Well, seems like many of us can identify with these sentiments! Honestly, I’ve had those moments of wanting to get deeper, but not knowing how or what question to ask, even with my parents or husband. Sometimes it just feels like there is a disconnect, a “ships passing in the night” kind of thing – perhaps it’s a normal aspect of relationships to an extent? Thanks for asking these questions. I’m glad I happened upon your writing via FMF 🙂
thanks for stopping by anna. i’m glad it was helpful…at least for your thought processes. come join us again soon:)
It is hard and uncomfortable when a close friend becomes a stranger…sometimes though it only takes the right key to open up the heart again…even if lots of things have to be unlocked that are rather awkward…sometimes we just need to cut to the chase and assure each other of our love…despite all the differences that have arisen through the years…we still share that bond…i had an experience like that last year with someone so close to my heart….multiple times I had to reassure that no matter what was currently going on and how different we were now…the love was still there…always..and there were definite awkward moments
somer, so true! that is always the challenge…to persevere with relationships even when there are times they feel uncomfortable or disappointing. it carries through whether it is in marriage, your family or with friends…even with enemies. thanks for adding that in your comment.
Yes. I have felt this with old friends a couple of times. I had to go through a bit of a mourning process with those relationships and understand that it is okay that it happened – because some times it just does.
And it makes those relationships that ‘pick up where they left off’ that much sweeter 🙂
thanks for stopping by brook. i enjoyed browsing your blog. great post today.
yes, those pick-up-where-you-left-off friends are the best aren’t they?
Yes! I have had this experience too. Fortunately, my most recent two were not this way. What a difference it makes! Bless you, Martha!
Sharon,sorry to hear you have had similar experiences but I’m sure this is within the experience of all of us who live in a broken world. realizing just how broken our world is, helps a bit to ease the pain a bit…it isn’t unique to us. it is part of the human condition…honesty, vulnerabilty? they are scary and can be very painful!
Love your take on FMF. I am praying about a visit with a friend (which will hopefully happen soon) where I need to ask a question about a difficult/confusing/challenging time of life … and am hoping for some open dialogue. Thank you for the challenge to be brave in those moments…
thanks for stopping by lori. i love your blog…and your crafts are beautiful!
Yes! I can remember when my grandmother’s were sick and close to death saying that they would go visit and it was like they weren’t even there and sometimes didn’t even remember who they were or who my aunts were.
I’ve also talked with people and I feel like they are pre-occupied and not really listening to me. Sometimes I think this day and age with cell phones and smart phones sometimes we forget to put them away. I had a friend go on a DATE and the guy was texting on his cell phone the whole time! She finally texted him that she was leaving since he seemed to be pre-occupied.
Stopping in from your FMF neighbor (I’m #26 but the link for #25 was broken :))
glad you stopped by beth anne. that date story is sad:( she was very wise to end it.
as a nurse in rehab, ihave learned that patients are very sensitive to the attitudes of people around them even when they may not be able to communicate well or may even be very confused.if they have sitters who are attentive to them, are quiet and calm. they do much better than if they have a sitter that sits in the room and watches TV the whole time and seems to look on them as an interruption.
as people who bear GOD’s image, we respond to the respect of another human being who honors that in us…no matter how confused or “out of it” we seem to be. you may have even noticed this with one of your children who has a meltdown at the end of a long day. wrapping them in your arms is way more comfort than trying to be logical isn’t it?
Oh my yes! In fact- just today I had lunch with a friend from highschool. I left wondering who that was talking back there… it was a deep topic but we stayed so superficial. Sigh. Yes, yes I’ve left feeling empty. May God redeem even those parts of our stories! Great- thought provocking post!
thanks for stopping by brandi:) i enjoyed browsing your blog…a lot! GOD does redeem those parts of our stories. there are times to stay somewhat superficial (for our personal taste) so as not to intimidate the other person. the first time after many years? sometimes that is arranged by GOD. visit 2 may be a bit deeper. it can be a bit of a dance as well.