Searching for balance...

So that title could obviously lead into about a million different subjects, right! Well, today...it's friendships. I'm not posting this to complain, more to get insight if you have some, or just a prayer (for all of us trying to do this same thing) if you feel led.

I'm having a hard time balancing being a Follower of Christ, a wife, a mother and a friend. That's a lot! For any of you that know me well, you know I am an extreme people person and could carry on a conversation with a wall if I had to! :-) The hard part...so many friends. Now, don't get me wrong, that's an overwhelming blessing. The problem is, how do you, on a consistent basis, continue to make time for ALL of them? This I cannot seem to figure out. And I'll be the first to admit, I'm rotten at it! My hearts desire is to be a loyal friend to the end, but how does this happen over a span of 31 years and gobs of friendships built? I've been blessed with some of the best friends in the world over my lifetime, from Jr. High/High School at GCA, College at DBU and now our home church, 121 Community Church. I couldn't have asked for greater friends than who the Lord has put into my path! Sad, but true though, many of those friendships have been really hard to keep up with because of sheer numbers. It has nothing to do with the friends, just my lack of ability to find the time to make them all still work. That's not an excuse, it's an issue I'm not quite sure how to attack. So any of you who may have ideas, I'm all ears.

Calendar? I'm guessing that's gonna be something someone suggests. I agree, scheduling is huge! How often though do you get together with friends, close or past ones you are trying to keep up with? Do you quit trying when someone can't seen to 'put you on their calendar' in spite of verbally saying they really want to get together? Sometimes it seems it's emotionally draining for me to go back and forth and not just do it! I try to be a flexible person and love to do things last minute with people when we can. Just seems like a lot of times calendars almost get in our way as much as they help us? Does anyone know what I mean? I understand that we have schedules, but when you haven't seen someone in forever, if you really want to get together don't you fit them in? I'm preaching to the choir here, don't think I've got it altogether!! Obviously I've been convicted or I wouldn't be asking how God leads you in your friendships! :-)

So I'm battling fitting time with friends in with making time for my husband (who has a very busy music ministry), taking care of our 4 precious boys and trying to give them the social opportunities they need (which in itself is a struggle sometimes with so many of them), teaching school on Tuesday & Thursdays, being active in several areas at our church, and doing my home business here and there. How do you all do it? I'd love to hear. The Lord is really working on my heart, I know this! My heart hurts when I can't be a GREAT friend to everyone, that's just my personality and I have to move past that and somehow grasp who God has made me to be and follow in the paths (friendships) He is leading me. The thing is, I don't want to loose friendships, that were so dear for so many years, altogether, that's awful. I know it happens sometimes but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt either. Well, I guess I should be done with my soap box. :-) Thanks you for listening!!