Where have All the Friendships Gone?

Today isn't necessarily a spiritual lesson.  It is more of a spiritual venting.  Friendships can be so rewarding and yet so draining at the same time.  By nature, I am introverted and have a more difficult time making friends as my extroverted wife.  However, when I make a friend, I consider them friends for life.  Yet, it seems like all of the work in the relationship comes from me.  I must call, I must write, I must visit, etc.  If I don't take the initiative then I never hear from them.  Often, I have wondered, is it just me?  But I know that there are others who feel the same.  I have had friends go through some difficult times and I was there.  I listened.  I wrote.  I encouraged.  I was as supportive as I possibly could be.  Then when I experience some difficulty in life, I don't hear from them.  When I finally see them I get the same response; "I MEANT to call you.  I MEANT to write.  I MEANT to" . . . etc., etc., etc.  I understand we can all get busy in life but where have all the friendships gone?  Now, I know I have a friend in Jesus.  Yes, I have my help mate, Michele, that the Lord gave to me.  But besides the relationships with my Lord and my wife; where have the rest gone?  I have had accountability partners become occassional acquaintances.  I have had close pastoral friends become distant.  I have had childhood friends become "holiday" remembrance cards.  Now, if I put forth the effort, I could keep in closer contact.  As "friends," why don't they do the same?  Now I know how Jesus felt on the eve of his death and his "friends" fell asleep.  He wanted them there with him, praying for strength and direction and they didn't respond.  When he needed them most, they abandoned him.  Even the very vocal Peter, denied knowing him.  Maybe Jesus was asking; "Where have all the friendships gone?"  Maybe that is why he prayed; "Father, may they be one as you and I are one."  I think this is to remind us that we are not by ourselves.  We must remember one another for we are united together in Christ.