Donald Wickham’s Blog

I don’t know how it is for you but those I’m close to, or want to be closer to, tend to be living some distance away.  The adage that distance makes the heart grow fonder doesn’t work for me.  Perhaps for a season, after they have moved away it does, but I find that “out of sight, out of mind” seems to be more true for me. 

 

I’d really love to change this.  How about giving some ideas in the comments?

 

Today’s technology should make it much easier to stay in contact.  Yes, I do enjoy getting emails, posts on Facebook and Tweets.  But, again for me, that just doesn’t seem to do it for me.  Skype helps.  And phone calls.  Something about hearing their voice and seeing them (bare chests an all when someone forgets to tell their husband that they are Skyping.)    Grandchildren grow up sooooo very fast.  And not being able to hug and play together leaves an emptiness and longing. 

 

So my list of staying connected are:

• Phone calls
• Skype
• Email
• Facebook and Twitter
• Snail Mail and cards
• Current pictures
• Prayer

 

A couple of comments on the latter two. 

 

My wife keeps the latest pictures on our hallway wall.  When I pause and look, it does tend to draw me closer to them.  But I find that the longing hurts so I tend to avoid it.  I’m thinking, though, that the longing is a good thing.  It is one of the ways we stay connected.  It draws our heart and thoughts to them and that is good, even if painful.

 

And prayer.  Not just a quick “God bless them” but a conscious focus on them and their needs and asking for God’s help for them.  Asking God how He wants me to help and support and then following thru.  This, I’ve found, connects me even more. 

 

So a combination of some of these looks hopeful.

1. When I see their picture or they come to mind, focus on them and pray for them instead of avoiding the discomfort.
2. Contact them with love and support.  Maybe a tweet when that happens would encourage them.  I wonder how to keep the tweet from getting lost.  Hmmm, another thing to research and share.
3. Call or Skype

 

How about you, how do you stay connected and involved?

Tags:   cards · connected · involved · Long Distance Relationships · longing · pictures · prayer · SkypeNo Comments