I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately, as I'll be moving ten hours away for college and beginning again from scratch (the only exception being my cousin, who's attending college with me). Making friends is one of the biggest challenges I have. Interacting with people in general is difficult. (And yet I'm going to journalism school. Ah, Introvert Maggie logic at its finest.) How will be albe to start a reasonable conversation without running away screaming, harboring thoughts like theyhatemetheyhatemetheyhateme.
Which probably isn't true. Most people are able to tolerate me (hopefully you as well, dear reader).
But on friendships. How do you make one of these friend thingies? It's something that I've been thinking about for a bit.
As a joke, I mentioned in a speech for class that to make a new friend, you bait your target (preferably with pizza), then kidnap them. Of course, in real life, things don't work quite like that. Actually, a way I've made friends is through storytelling.
Here in the exotic land of Missouri, it's quite common to huddle up, pop a squat, ans swap stories. It certainly helps long rides in the school bus pass faster. And if you've ever had the privelege of taking a spin in an all-American public school bus, believe me. You want that ride to go as fast as possible.
Stories build friendships even after they're made. It's like swapping pretty rocks found in a riverbed.
"Your rock for mine?"
"Sure! I love yours! It has lovey pink speckles on it."
"Done. It's all yours."
"Thanks! Now we'll be friends forever!"
Sharing experiences brings different kinds of people closer together; it makes relating to each other so much easier. It's fun to hear something about a friend, sor something that's happened to them. Swapping memories, swapping ideas, thoughts, dreams....swapping stones.
Often, friends are made through mutual friends, a friend of a friend. In fact, that's how I met lots of the people I know. Sometimes friends are introduced like this, "This is Mr. Blah Blah, and we did This & That. AND. IT. WAS. AWESOME."
See right there? BAM. Instant storytime. And if you find in common with this new person? Bring on the new friendship! Stories sort of hold things together (read: duct tape). Memories, friendships, frail (or sometimes crazy) emotions...
The story is more powerful than many realize. Stories among friends can create happy memories, full of laughter and smiles, but on the flip side, stories lead to nasty rumors, which have the power to shatter those smiles and destroy friendships, and even lives.
Friendship and camaderie are based on story. In fact history is ultimately a story. History. His Story. God's story. And the Bible holds it all. While a relationship with Christ isn't quite like the average friendship here on Planet Earth, it is the most important one we can choose to have. And that, is a great story indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment