It has become easily forgotten to be intentional about these types of actions. Why? Let's be honest here, it take way less time to send a text to one of your friends to check in on them to see how they are doing. It's just so much easier. You can send a text from anywhere. It's so convenient. It's not like you have to drive somewhere to meet up with that person either.
Don't get me wrong, I love getting a good text message, but when something is communicated to me face to face, it's so much more meaningful. You can intentionally text people to catch up with them, but that intentionality doesn't even compare with meeting face to face.
You might wonder, how can I meet up with some of the people I want too when there is no time? Simply, just call them. Phone calls are extremely fulfilling as well. There is a lot of power in a phone call or a FaceTime conversation. Both are intentional. Both take more effort than sending out a text.
Think about how meaning it would be to your parents for you to give them a nice phone call rather than a text. If you are thinking that you don't have enough for a 5 minute phone call you are full of it. There are plenty of times to make a quick phone call. Walking to class, driving to or from work, (bluetooth) or on a Sunday afternoon after church. If your busy for 24 straight hours I would love to meet you.
I try to make a couple of phone calls a day and intentionally meet up with friends a couple times a week. It really doesn't matter to me how busy I am because the fulfillment I get from these things fuels me. We are called to love one another and carving out time to pour into/get poured into is loving one another.
I was encouraged to write about this today from John. When John wrote the book of 2 John, it could basically fit on one piece of paper. There are only 13 verses! Check this verse out...
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be made complete. (2 John 12)
John probably could've made 2 John so much longer but he didn't because face to face conversation was going to be more impactful to the lady he was writing it to. John says that he has much to write, but the only way that his joy would be made complete would be through face to face conversation. He could not be more right in saying that.
Our joy is made complete in face to face conversations.
I encourage you this week to intentionally reach out to someone and catch up. Grab a cup of coffee or grab a bite to eat. Call a friend or your family, FaceTime a friend or your family, etc.
Be intentional about relationships and you'll be fulfilled. I have no doubt.
This is really thoughtful and touches on a topic that not many people think about. You lose something when you communicate through text rather than face to face.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, as well written as it was, you might want to proofread a little more or have someone do it for you. There were a few grammatical errors. But hey, props to you for having a blog.