This past weekend was a blessing for our family.  Even though Bryson was in a different state than Sonny, Gabriel and me, he was still experiencing some of the same feelings we were.  We not only had the opportunity to worship God with fellow Christians, we also had the joy of renewing friendships.

Now you would think, with all the technology that exists in the world today, that keeping up with old friends would be simple and losing touch would be non-existent.  Not so - at least in my case.  I get so busy in my little corner of the world, that I forget to use these "things" to keep up with my friends across the country.  (For some odd reason, all this techno stuff still doesn't help with forgetfulness!  I just don't understand it!)  Then we still have the old-fashioned ways of keeping in touch, yet it's hard to pick up a pen and write a note then address the envelope.  Why is that? 

Sure, a lot of it is just laziness on my part and forgetfulness.  Then there's the time it takes - no matter what type of communication mode you choose.  Then there are the excuses, such as, "it's been so long that I'm embarrassed" or "I'm terrible at writing and I don't want to call at a bad time", etc.  You know what I'm talking about.  We've all made excuses at one time or another.  So why do we make excuses instead of facing up to the real reasons?  I don't know or I would be keeping in touch much, much better than I do now!

I would love to hear suggestions from those who do keep in touch.  How do you do it and why?  I would also love to hear from those who don't keep in touch.  Why don't you?  What gets in your way?  Now I'll admit that I really don't like talking on the phone and it takes me forever to write a letter because I start writing a book, but I don't mind email.  It's just easier to keep it short because I know that I can get it there quickly, get a quick response from them and respond back in the time that it takes to have a phone conversation or write a letter.  That's just me.  I'm still not great with email, but I'm better.  How about you?  

So back to this weekend.  Sonny started a revival in Calhoun, IL, which is close to Olney, IL, where we lived for 10 years.  During those 10 years, we made several close friends and were able to see some of them on Sunday.  It was great to be together and catch up with each other's lives.  We thoroughly enjoyed it!  Thankfully God brings us together once or twice a year and it's always a blessing!  

Did you notice that I said "catch up"?  Even though we get together whenever we are in that area, that's usually the extent of our communication, other than a Christmas card.  (Please keep those coming! I love hearing from everyone!)  We have to "catch up" in order to keep up, but you know, there's something about that personal "catch up" time.  It's so much better than a piece of paper or an electronic letter or even a phone call.  Being able to touch the person, see their expressions and hear their voice all at the same time is the best way to communicate - to keep in touch!         

Obviously, that can't happen every day with every one we know, but it's a wonderful feeling to be able to do that once in awhile.  Bryson and I were texting (another form of communication) each other while he was traveling and he commented on how much he misses being with his friends.  We both thought how nice it would be to have our friends close enough to see them more often.  We are so spread out that it's hard to spend time with them and actually see them face to face.  We all crave that personal touch even when we do use other ways to keep in touch.  

Of course, that's not reality.  The reality is we are spread far apart, we need to encourage one other in way possible, and someday we won't have this dilemma because we'll be in Heaven - together! 

So why not pick up that pen and paper/phone or turn on the computer and write/call/text or email that person that you've been thinking about.  Encourage them.  They don't care how long it's been.  It will still be a blessing to them to hear from you! 

We all want to go to Heaven and we all need to be encouraged to hang in there!  So go ahead!  Encourage one another!   (I Thessalonians 5:11 and Hebrews 3:13 - I encourage you to read these verses and take them to heart:)  Have a blessed life!