Have you ever been sitting at home, and the caller-id says “by best friend is calling” – you know, the one who lives a million miles away and you haven’t seen in forever? And you get this big warm smile on your face, and you snuggle into the couch, because you know it’s going to be a while? It’s an hour your gonna enjoy spending.

I truly count it an incredible blessing that God chose my life to be lived in the 21st century. I LOVE all forms of technology, and often find myself in a media tilt-o-whirl, screaming for more! Like that feeling you get half way through the ride, when you are over the nervousness and you think to yourself, as soon as I get off here, I’m buying more tickets so I can do this again! However, in today’s ultra-fast, media-based, electronic world, we have somehow ended up conversating via 140 characters per moment.

Friends are precious gifts from God. Cultivating that friendship can be achieved through social-media tools. And as rewarding as a DM or @reply can be – it still in no way compares to the ever precious voice mail that says, “Hey girlfriend, I was just thinking about you and I miss you – I miss dropping by your house on my way home from work to rant about my work drama! I miss my Jenn-time.” (like the one I received last week that I listened to four times, and made my husband listen to twice that was followed with an hour-long skype session with that precious gal)

Oh! I miss you too real-life friend! Lets not forget today to take time for social engagement, and not just interaction. So go plan a “friendly drive by” and call them up and tell them I’ll be there in 5 minutes for a quick Chick-Fil-A sweet tea run. You never know how special you will make them feel…just between friends!

photo via: lorimarsha