BY GEORGE! ANOTHER VOICE

Long distance call

An old friend called me Saturday. I had not spoken to him in more than a year. The amazing thing is that we carried on a long conversation as though we talked everyday. We spoke about all the things we have in common and knew a lot about each other without any direct knowledge.

I knew he would have purchased a Blue Ray player and would have watched several of our favorite movies. I knew he also had completed his first year of grandfatherhood. I also knew which presidential candidate he supported, even though we never had spoken about it.

Actually, it’s not so amazing. We know each other really well. We went to the same high school and worked at the same after-school job. He was my best man, and we went to see him last year to help him celebrate his wedding anniversary because I had been his best man. We have worked at maintaining a relationship. He lives in California.

I enjoyed hearing about new things in his life that I couldn’t have known about intuitively: He had another grandchild, his wife has a new job. We had an hour-long talk even though I was holding a paint brush and was trying to be careful not to drip on the carpet.

I thought about our long friendship and bemoaned not having called him for too long. Maintaining a long-term relationship is difficult even with the best of intentions.

Maintaining a relationship with God requires attention as well. It is what keeps us bound together. If we want a strong relationship, we have to work at it. Then our faith grows.

Take time to talk again with God as the dearest of friends. The call is free.