I’m an extrovert. Anyone that’s know me for any length of time knows that about me. I love to talk, to laugh, to make sure that everyone feels connected and a part.

I love to work a room. Some folks pick at me for “brown nosing” or “politicking” but I really do love to shake hands, tell stories, and meet folks. As an extrovert, that energizes me and empowers me.

But you know what?  I’m jealous of introverts sometimes.

I know a lot of people. And a lot of people know me.  I’m good with that.  But, from what I hear of my introvert friends, they don’t have a lot of friends, they have a few very close friends. Dear friends that they know that are there, through thick and thin.

And, you know what?  I’m jealous of that.  Part of it is being a preacher, no one is really friends with the preacher.  At Asbury, I’m lucky, I have some good friends, but even there, I’m pretty sure they don’t want me around all the time.

And at Annual Conference, I look around, slap a lot back, shake a lot of hands, have a lot of friends, but in the end, I ate lunch by myself today.

Mind you, I’m not complaining.  I’m not upset.  I’m just observing my life. And, frankly, it’s always been like that, except for a few years in college.

Now, a good bit of it is my fault.  I don’t make enough effort.  I don’t put in the time. I get too busy.  I am always moving, going, doing, and not spending that quality time with people. And maybe as an only child, I never learned that skill.

I don’t know. It’s just odd.

So, anyway, I love my life. I love my family.  I LOVE my wife (who is my best friend).  And I love my calling. And I love my friends.  And I love my personality. I think it makes me a more effective pastor and leader.

But, I will confess. There are times when I’m jealous of my introvert friends.