The Power of With
It's an amazing thing to see adults act like kids. When adults look at the world with wonder and playfulness it changes things, it gives people hope, it makes people comfortable. I wish more adults were given the chance to play. Whether it be soccer, or to jump in a bounce house, or to eat In-N-Out on a grassy lawn as music plays. These are some things I have experienced in the last week. These little things bring so much joy, pure joy brought about by people simply being together.
Oh, the magical power of with. To walk beside someone, simply walk. To sit and listen, simply listen. To drive with the windows down, and music playing, no need for words, just being with each other. It's a beautiful thing to be with someone. To say where you go, what you struggle through, the highs and the lows, I will be with you. Maybe not always physically right next to them, but it's the thought of not bailing when things get tough. I think it is a rare thing these days for people to commit to be with each other. I think it's rare to find friendships based on nothing more than the commitment to be with each other, despite conflicts, changing seasons, and difference. It's a friendships where you find someone and you know life is better with them and they make you better. Everything in life these days is quick, fast paced, orbiting in and out of our lives too fast to keep up. It is easy and normal for people to only be in our lives for a short time. Sometimes we get pushed out of others lives for silly reasons, hurtful reasons, or no reason at all.
What if we decided to be with each other?
With could look different for everyone. If I am going to decide to really actually be with someone I would hope to be someone who challenges, who calls out others strengths, who does conflict well, who pursues when pursuit is difficult. Sometimes we just need someone to see us, even when we are trying not to be seen. We also sometimes need someone to see the pain or loneliness or confusion and say, "Hey, how about a walk?" or "Let's play some soccer." I think that's why I love seeing adults be kids together. Doing these simple things seem to make the big adult problems of life seem so insignificant.
Who do you need to be with? Who needs your pursuit or unrelenting love in this current season of life? We all want to be wanted. So grab a soccer ball and invite some friends to the park, enjoy just being with each other and see what happens.
