This afternoon I had the pleasure of lazily drifting in my kayak on the lake behind our house with one of my dearest friends. We had a ball sharing our hearts, being heard by the other, and just hanging out.

We have been trying to get together to do this since last summer! My friend lives only a few minutes away so distance was not the issue. It was our schedules and of course the weather, but mostly our schedules.

Why do we struggle so to make time for our friends and fun? I don’t know. There is always something that needs to be done. Yet, if we wait for an empty to-do list, we will never take time for one of the most important parts of our lives—friends and fun. Both refresh us and help us to be more fully who we were meant to be.

This is one area of my life I am purposing to improve. I will need to be intentional and make the call to invite and keep on inviting. It is hard to put yourself out there and maybe receive a “no, thank you” or “I can’t this time.” But I think it’s time we grow out of our junior-high insecurities and say, “Okay, I’ll call again,” and then call someone else.

I make it a policy to not post pictures of my friends on social media. I know–it’s just me, but that’s how I roll. However, I will revisit my progress in this area with you on the blog. I would love to hear about your progress of growing your relationships as well.

For more ideas on growing friendships check out my session at the Grace Presbyterian Church Women’s Together Conference.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.