Coach's Corner

Relationships are the Spice of Life

I was “kidnapped” last night. In the spirit of celebrating my birthday, some good friends blindfolded me and took me to my new favourite Thai restaurant and then served a delicious dessert at a picnic on the beach. As I sat at the beach and looked around, I couldn’t help but be filled with appreciation for such an incredible group of friends: some of whom I had known for years and some who I had only recently gotten to know. They had all taken time out of their increasingly busy schedules to plan and attend this celebration. Being the recipient of such sacrifice and love, I could not be more blessed. As human beings, relationships play a very significant role in our lives, and this birthday experience for me was a perfect example as to why they should.

As I write this, high school students are reveling in the new-found freedom of being finished school, and middle schoolers are counting down the minutes to the final bell announcing that summer has officially begun. With the warmer weather comes the emergence of people who have been hibernating for the past several months and the start of spontaneous soccer and baseball games. The barbecues come out of hiding and the smell of campfires and freshly paved driveways fills the air.

I am a big fan of summer for a number of reasons. I love the warm weather, the sunny days, and afternoons cooled with summer rain. Most of all, I love how people seem to become more relaxed as the temperature rises. Summer is a great time to celebrate and appreciate one another. Now you can invite people over for a backyard cookout without having to worry about how clean your house is or how to keep all the kids occupied. With the arrival of summer comes the opportunity to build relationships with others. It is a proven fact that people who regularly socialize with others live longer than those who mostly keep to themselves. We were created to be relational.

You might be thinking, “Sure, I have my summer, but I kind of just want to take this time for myself and my family.” Great - do that! But also try and take the opportunity to connect both with the people you already share a relationship with and those whom you have yet to get to know. Take advantage of the opportunity to invite your neighbours over for a barbecue or a backyard bonfire. Offer to assist in coaching the soccer team your kids play on. Arrange a family fun day at the beach with a couple of other families. Meet a friend for coffee in the evening or afternoon. Get some friends or a few families together and help clean up the beach or the park for a few hours. You can even volunteer at some of the community initiatives happening at King this summer, such as the $1.00 car wash, Vacation Day Camp, or Summer Camp. Sit out on your deck, join a local running club, join a sport’s team, or plan to join a small group.

The first step to getting connected is intentionally getting involved. Take that first step and get to know those around you. The great thing about relationships is that more often than not, you get back what you put in. The more you invest in others, the more your own life will be enriched.

If you are thinking that you don’t have time, consider the “unnecesseties of life” that can be cut in order to make room for healthy, strong relationships with others. Consider using Facebook or texting as a way to initiate a connecting point, but then go beyond the technology and meet that person for coffee or invite them and their family over for dinner. There is something to be said about meeting with others in person rather than in a virtual realm. As theology professor Howard Hendricks says, “you can impress people from a distance, but you can only impact them up close.” Make the time, take the time, and you won’t be disappointed. Go ahead and allow yourself to be “kidnapped” this summer and surround yourself with friends who can help you grow and who can grow with you.

Make time to build and invest in relationships this summer and I guarantee you will be glad you did!

Posted July 01, 2010