Getting ready to step on some toes this morning. My own, for instance.

I was thinking morbid thoughts the other day. Like, if someone close to me died, who would I call? Sadly, these are the thoughts I have on rainy days. Also sadly, most of the people I thought of were long distance calls. That made me stop and think...a lot.

I had the great priviledge of sharing with three lovely groups last week. They were all groups organized around a common theme: MOPS, or Mothers of Preschoolers. This is a fantastic organization that helps to create community among young mothers who are often feeling overwhelmed, undershowered and alone. I was so thrilled to have the change to encourage the moms. One of the most important things I wanted to share was the need for community.

I need it, too. You know what keeps me from it? Carpooling.

Yes, that's right, I said it. Carpooling. Driving to sports. Running up and down the road with someone's forgotten soccer cleats or science report. How can I create time to bond with my local friends? I'm a moving target.

In my Driver Improvement Class this weekend (another story), I learned that likely the ability to talk on the cell phone while driving will be rescinded over the next few years. This made me feel lonely in advance. I like to talk on the cell phone while I'm driving. It's a quiet time to catch up. But guys, get this. It's not real community. It's simply a shadow of real community. You may believe that sometimes a shadow is all your life allows for. But that would be false.

We were created for community. Don't settle for a lonely life. Nuture a friendship, starting today. To have a friend, we need to be a friend. We need to have people over to sit at our kitchen table and talk. We need to bring a friend along when we go shopping for those new pants. We need to welcome a friend who drops by.

Starting today, work on your friendships...and not just your cell phone-ships. Plan a face-to-face interaction. You'll be amazed at how it fills you up.