Friends Are Friends Forever...

In a recent blog post, Brad Hoffmann shared this quote:

Our lives are full of acquaintances, but in sore need of friendships.

In this day of ever-changing technology and better forms of communication (I love my iPhone!), our world seems to be getting smaller. Is it, though? It seems we are getting more isolated (distant) by the day! Facebook has "friends; Twitter has "followers", and Linked In has "connections. We must admit, though, that most of these contacts are really acquaintances not friends, in the true sense of the word. Friendships are vital when working on a boys ranch. It is easy for houseparents to get so caught up in the lives our "boys", that we neglect our relationships with those "outside our bubble". This can result in feelings of isolation and a feeling of "disconnection" with other adults. This is not God's intention! We need a circle of friends to keep us going! Houseparents need your help! Because our duties involve parenting multiple boys on a 24/7 basis, you might need to make the first move in establishing a relationship. Do not be afraid of our boys! They are normal kids dealing with abnormal situations! They need interaction with adults as much as the houseparents. Use FB, Twitter, text messages, cards, and phone calls to keep in touch, but personal, face-to-face visits are especially needed. It will help us to "keep on, keeping on"! We want to minister to these boys out of the overflow and not from a dry well! Communication is the name of the game! Could this be your ministry? Are you a Barnabas? Being a houseparent is definitely a calling! You know what? I wouldn't be doing anything else! Carpe Diem!