chillin'

I was hanging with some old friends of mine today and I realized how much things change with time. The perpetual "hands of time" never stop and if you blink you might miss something. It again reiterates the notion that we need to be thankful for what we have, when we have it/them. I just looked around Chagrin Falls and realized how far I've come since high school. I'm not saying I've achieved a whole lot, but I know I- along with everyone else I know- has changed considerably. We are all growing up and taking on new responsibilities and challenges in life.

Since growing up (and out for some of us) is such a natural force of life, I think the key to staying close with someone is growing up with them. It's like old couples talk about "growing old together," I think I need to learn how to grow up WITH someone, and not just by myself. Growing apart from familiar things doesn't mean one is maturing with time. Growing up is taking the good and the bad that life throws you and making it bend as much as possible with the will of God in your life. And making that happen with someone else is difficult (as I'm learning). It's easier to live alone, but who wants that? For a gregarious introvert like myself, I have to consciously make it a part of my life to pray, thing about and fellowship with others. It's too easy to get discouraged and pull my armor around me and hide. Sometimes thats what needs to happen, but most times you have to face your fears/desires/decisions/etc. and trust that each step you take, God's already established before you. Peace on ya'.