There comes a time when you're studying something and you realize God is saying, "That's right, I am talking to you." You ponder it. A few days go by, and then Bam! There it is again. There are people that I've known for years that are truly great individuals. At some point the term friend isn't really appropriate. Not from the fault of any one person. People move. People grow. Some don't. Some go one direction on the path. Others go a different direction. The husband has commented to me a handful of times about my use of the word friend when referring to certain people. Not that one has acted in an unfriendly manner toward me or vice versa, but at this point in life what do she and I share. Friendships, or relationships of any kind, cannot grow and continue when one person does the contacting or keeping up with the other. It has to be a mutual interaction, a mutual effort. Sometimes there is going to be the realization that life growth and changes bring an end to a friendship. No one did anything wrong. It just is. The purpose of one's presence in your life has been fulfilled, and it is now time to move forward. No looking back. The other people are still amazing people, but God is directing you to put your energy and investment elsewhere.
I did a little stepping back in time, if you will, recently. The realization of my growth in life and how blessed I am with the people who are truly invested in having a relationship with me became quite clear to me - people that encourage me to grow, to be better, to strive for goals and dreams. I left from "visiting my past" with mixed emotions as I saw the deteriorating lives around me. Thankful for God's grace, love, forgiveness, and peace, and a prayer that those people will know His peace.
I'm learning. Friendships that aren't mutual aren't friendships. When your path separates from others, as long as you are on the path God called you to be, you just have to keep moving forward. I can't invest in the lives of everyone, but I can give a big portion to those God has in my path right now.
