Establishing Traditions

Establishing Traditions

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

My husband and I love food. Tri-tip steaks, bacon-wrapped scallops, and beer can chicken grilled on our Big Green Egg are some of our favorite meals to make at home. We love trying new restaurants, whether they’re farm-to-table, sushi, fancy, or casual. We enjoy watching shows like Top Chef, Chopped, and MasterChef. And whenever we travel, we’ve been known to plan our calendar around which restaurants we’d like to visit.

Luckily, our friends Ryan and Emily are foodies too. Several years ago, we decided to start visiting new restaurants in the Twin Cities together. We compiled a running list of restaurants, gleaned from magazine articles and recommendations from friends, and started working our way through them. The number of restaurants we visit varies from year to year, depending on the season of life we’re in, but we make it happen at least a few times each year. Every dinner date is a chance to catch up and enjoy something new.

It’s fun to establish traditions in friendships, and our standing new-restaurant dates are one of my favorite traditions. I’m much more likely to be adventurous when the people I surround myself with are willing to be adventurous too. By trying new things with our friends, I’ve created a list of favorite restaurants that Tim and I return to again and again for birthdays and anniversaries.

The writer of Psalms reminds us of the joy that comes when we live in unity with our fellow Christians. As friends, some of that unity comes from having a mutual interest or passion for a hobby, sport, or other activity. After all, it’s just as important to foster community through fun and laughter as it is through the more serious parts of life and ministry. Seeking and finding common points of interest is foundational in the pursuit of lifelong friends.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Brainstorm a new friendship tradition you could establish with a friend, couple, or group.