Community.
I’m a community girl. People seeker, party planner, secret carrier, event attender, friend supporter, me.
Except lately.
Lately, I’m more of a let-me-live-alone-on-an-island-in-peace-kind-of-girl.
Relationships prove difficult. Community hard, and island living calls out to me. See, on the Island of Me, I get to do what I want and not be troubled by well, life.
I hear about 2:00 a.m. friends, the kind of people you can pick up the phone and call in the middle of the night. I wonder who my 2:00 a.m. friends are, and if I still have what it takes to be a 2:00 a.m. friend, and I start to question, do I even want that kind of investment?
Then, I get the call. It’s not 2:00 a.m., it’s 9:03 p.m., and it’s from one of my forever friends. Her teenage nephew endured a terrible car wreck. He may never walk again.
My friend called because she needs hope, and she needs prayer, and you know what? She needs community, community that rallies in unthinkable situations.
For now, I brush away barriers, forget about island life, and join her right where she is.
Question for you: Do you have a 2:00 a.m. friend? Are you a 2:00 a.m. friend? Tell. Tell.
: :
37 comments:
I have had some of the most amazing text/chat/prayers at 3 a.m.
Jesus knew when to withdraw into solitude and when to enter into brokenness and pain. There's a time for both.
Pausing to whisper prayer for your friend and her son.
I think there are different seasons for all of us. It's not necessarily bad if you need some time for you. But, I am an introvert by nature anyway, so it sounds good to me to pull away and recharge. I know you get energy from others, so I think this is just a growing time for you in some way. Like it or not, you're my 2am friend, though it would have to be a major crisis for me not to wait till morning. You are an amazing friend to so many. Perhaps you just need a break to recharge your own batteries. Love to you, and I can't wait to catch up soon.
Oh, and prayers for your friend's nephew...
my precious best friend is my 2am friend.
i adore her. it's a gorgeous connection. i pray i am for her what she is for me.
I found you at The High Calling. Clicked, and read about 2am friends. I can't let that go without mentioning my oldest friend from childhood. She is my 2am friend. I am blessed to have her. I can't imagine the lonliness of not having a 2am friend. I am stealing your 2am friend idea for a near, in the future, blog post. Hope you don't mind. Praying for your friend's nephew.
Blessings,
oh Amy, you always make one to want to do better, be better and you are doing it again. Have I made myself my own little island? Yes, I'd say at times I do....but for the most part my desire it to be that 2:00 AM friend. You always bring such good pictures...ALWAYS!
I tend to do that too -- pull back sometimes and be an island. But, like you, when the call or email or text comes, no matter the time, I quickly remember what it means to be part of a community, to be part of relationships larger than myself.
I am, evidently, a 2:00am friend. Well, more like half-past-midnight friend. For my ex-daughter-in-law. Texting last night... we both needed the reassurance. The last 48 hours have been harder than all get out (Southernism). Amy, I didn't have your number, so I had to rely on some other people, but I made it through. And I am totally open to 2:00 phone calls if need be. The hard stuff rarely happens between 10am-2pm when I would really like to receive callers and other contacts from my adoring public. :)
Praying for your friend's nephew this morning, Amy. I'm so sorry.
Yes, I've got a 2am friend and I do believe that I'm a 2am friend as well.
And I can totally relate to the island girl thing right now...totally. like got my lei on and everything. I'm trying hard not to pull out the coconuts. That would be scary but if you're on an island who even knows, right? Ha!
I get this one, deep. As an aunt of two teenage nephews in a similar situation, I've been in need of 2 a.m. friends. (I hope that I've been that kind of friend to others, as well.)
P.S. -- Keep up the good work, Amy. You've built such great community here.
I am sorry to hear about your friend's nephew Amy--I'll pray as well.
Family is more my 2 am call givers and receivers. Since becoming a parent over the last decade, I think the Mrs. and I are more like an island as well.
There are truly few things more valuable than those types of friends!
What a blessed thing to think about. I have a dear one who stuck with me through the hardest season of my life, she proved her mettle. Then, I recently received so many injuries in our car accident, that I can't care for my family -- she stepped up and coordinated the plan to care for us. We've had more 2 a.m. friends in the past three months than I ever thought we'd have -- I can't wait to get better and reciprocate (not that they expect it). Great thoughts-- I'll be praying for your friend's family -- we know the jolting horror that a bad car wreck can be. Blessings, Alyssa
Amy,
God is using you to rock me to the core. I just wanted you to know.
Island life is pretty attractive and I totally get what you're saying, but I guess it's more like a vacation... I may want to get away from it all, but I usually want to to get back. Am I a 2am friend? Well, I was to many in the past, but am I now? Yes, but only to a few I think! I'd answer the phone at 2 am no matter what if it rang... because people don't call at that time unless they really need too! I hope my friends know that they can call me :)
Amy, you always have me thinking. I'm sorry to hear of your friend's nephew. I am thankful that we were designed for companionship but can create an island if necessary - and that alone time is a necessity I believe. I bet you have more 2 am friends than you realize. I bet we all do.
xoxo michele
Wow. I have totally been feeling the same way- needing to take a gargantuan step backwards from my involvement.I never want to disappoint anyone- especially the Father! But doing "things" right now would not be done with a joyful heart. We all need time for rest and renewal- sometimes it's just getting someone to really hear us request it.
Do I have 2:00 am friends? Yes. I consider you one.Since our answering machine volume is turned down at bedtime,I doubt I'd receive an early morning phone call, but I'd love to think my friends know I would sooo answer their call if I was awake! (which I often am!)
PS.Listen to these words as if Jesus were talking with you:"Rest in Me, My child. This time devoted to Me is meant to be peaceful, not stressful. You don’t have to perform in order to receive My love. I have boundless, unconditional love for you. How it grieves Me to see My children working for love: trying harder and harder, yet never feeling good enough to be loved. Be careful that your devotion to Me does not become another form of works. I want you to come into My presence joyfully and confidently. You have nothing to fear, for you wear My own righteousness. Gaze into My eyes, and you will see no condemnation, only love and delight in the one I see. Be blessed as my face shines radiantly upon you giving you peace."
John 15:13; Zeph 3:17; Nu 6:25-26
(from my daily devotional)
Love you Ame.
Great food for thought. The answers are yes and I hope so. Friendships go through seasons, especially when you move frequently like I do. There are seasons in the past when the answers would have been no. Thanks for making me think.
I don't know why, but this just brought me to tears. I think I relate so much to where you were- Island dwelling. But the thought of not being there when a friend needs me, that makes me wither.
Thanks for this.
I have a couple 2 a.m. friends but more than that, I have a lot of 2 a.m. extended family. I'm lucky to have a lot of close cousins, aunts, and uncles.
i tend to be more of an island girl, but i'm learning i need to need others. because this is the church, no? and i have a feeling you make a wonderful 2 am friend. you're an amazing online friend anyway :)
Yes. I am a 2am friend when I actually hear my phone. Regardless, I have a friend who will call or text at 2am when she needs prayer. Whenever I get the call, I pray.
Would I reach out to a friend at 2am. That, I am not quite sure about.
Totally love this post, Amy. Except I feel a little depressed by the fact that I don't have a 2 a.m. friend...and I don't think I am a 2 a.m. friend. Except my sister...I would call her at 2 and she would call me. Does my sister count?
Hi Amy,
I'm not sure if I am a 2.00am friend, I both would like to be but prefer not to have the responsibility. But I am a good listener and friend in times of crisis so maybe that counts. God has given me two great friends which I can really talk to, my hubby and another sister.
by God's grace and goodness, I do. When you were talking about 2am friends and wondering if you had any, I thought, 'you can call me?':}:}:}
Thought provoking question, Amy. I know I would want friends to think of me as a 2 am friend and have... but I am not sure I would have the courage to pick up the phone at 2 am and call someone. I think that is sad.
I know I do like the solitude and quiet of being on a island but need the balance of living in community. I am healthier in many ways in community but it is something I have to be intentional about.
good thoughts
Gosh, felt like you were describing me there for a second. For a long time, I was a super friend - but then as life changed, marriage, kids - I did retreat more to an island of me. I have to consciously fight it, but I have found these more mature friendships to be worth it. I cherish my 2:00 am friendships.
i am definitely a 2 a.m. friend and i'm counting on you as one of my 2 a.m-ers! :) and even though you're in retreat mode (which is totally needed sometimes!!!- don't beat yourself up for it!), when it comes down to it, you are totally there for your friends!
love you :)
p.s.- does your island come w/coronas??? if so, can i join you there? (though i guess that defeats the purpose- ha!)
I love those kind of friends. And they know that I am there for them too. Brought back some memories for me. Sending up a prayer for you.
You were totally my 2:30 PM friend today!! Thank you for loving me.
Oh yes I do! God is my best 2 a.m. friend too! I can shoot up in bed drenched with fears and He will listen to all of them, and calm me down. :) God created fellowship and community - I love it!
Oh wow, Amy. What a strong post. Prayers for your friend.
Oh those 2 a.m. calls...praying for the young teenager. I love being a 2a.m. call-me-and-I'll pray person.
Hmmm Amy, perhaps you could launch a 2 a.m. text me-and-I'll-pray chain. I'll gladly email my #.
We can't walk alone, can we? Great post. Prayers for your friend.
Mel
Definitely want to be a 2am friend for all my friends, just hope they know that.
Thanks for the lovely post
Just when you were wondering, He showed you with a call of a friend. That is to be cherished.
I will contemplate this one for myself. Thanks!
Post a Comment
Talk to me, friends.