to everything there is a season

I’ve noticed a change lately. I have always considered myself an introverted person, who likes my alone time. Big groups of people are fun for a while, but they leave me drained. Last year, after having lived with a rotating group of ten other people, I looked forward to moving into an apartment by myself. Now, however, my little fortress of solitude is beginning to feel oppressive.

Over the past few weeks, as the school year wound down, there were a lot of gatherings to celebrate the year and say goodbye to friends, whether for the summer or indefinitely. Thinking back over these parties and looking at pictures, I realize how much I enjoy spending time with these people and even meeting new people that I somehow missed all year. As I woke up this morning, earlier than usual, I wondered when would be the next time I could hang out with friends and hoped that it would be soon.

The friends I have made here are unlike any I have had before. We are connected by this strong desire to be grown-up, full active participants in society, making a difference in the world; yet we realize that we are here now for a reason and that growing up means moving on. Most of us are only going to be together for two years, some a little more, some a little less. I have to wonder why God designed it that way. What affect are my relatively brief encounters with these people going to have on the rest of my life?

All I know is that I have changed. Spending time with friends and acquaintances no longer drains but rather now energizes me. Whether we are sharing conversations, meals, movies, music, or just simply space, I am continually being challenged, reshaped, and filled up by these people. I am excited to see the further changes I will undergo as I continue to live my life with these amazing people that I am privileged to call my friends.