Relationships Aren’t Everything
From the moment we are conceived we are in a relationship. An expectant mother loves her baby before she has even held the little life in her arms. She nurtures this child and the baby can hear and feel the mother’s emotion and reacts to her. Our fathers can also be nurturers and help us to pattern our lives and make choices in whom we seek to be as fathers or as our spouses.
Relationships color our life and help us form views and attitudes. From squabbling or sharing memories and secrets with our siblings to the friendships we form throughout our life.
Forming relationships help us in all areas of our life – school, workplace, church, and even in the medical arena. How often have you been seeking a physician and someone might say medically capable but bedside deficient (no bedside manner). And when we find a healthcare professional, whether it be a doctor, nurse, or the front desk clerk who takes an extra minute to comfort you, reassure you – well, it makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
“Relationships are not everything –
They are the only thing.
They are what you take into eternity.
Everything else is just stuff. “
I have a friend who often said these words and they are a constant reminder to me to be the friend I want to have and stay grounded in what our Lord, Jesus taught us.
“Where two or more are gathered, I am there.” Matthew 18:20 NIV
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Our greatest and most important relationship is our relationship with Jesus and God, the Father. God was with us before we were ever conceived and he is with us now and forever more. Like any relationship, it can be a long, winding road and often we cannot see that Jesus is walking beside us. Sometimes it takes a drastic life event to help open our eyes to see that our relationship with Jesus is indeed everything! When we reach out to be in relationship with Abba Father, our hearts are awakened and the Holy Spirit works in us to seek out others to strengthen one another and to serve those that are all around us. Yes, relationships aren’t every – they are the only thing that matters.
We are all searching for good, strong and healthy relationships. In order to find them we must practice open communication, loyalty, kindness, compassion, trust, emotional vulnerability, and willingness to forgive. It’s not always easy, is it?
Life on earth is hard, and it often seems hard to form a relationship. Fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, or fear of finding out they aren’t who they portray to be can often dissuade us from reaching out. But if we overcome our fear with prayer and wisdom from God, we can be the person we would like to meet. Then we will share this uncertain life with laughter, love, respect, kindness, and comfort. This is what God wants for his children. These are what will truly make us happy and content.
After all, the “things” we have acquired in this life will not follow us to eternity. But our relationships will.
Thank you for reading my post. If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it. Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!
I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts. To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com
Blessings for Health & Wellness.
Thank you for reading my post. If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it. Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!
I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts. To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com
Blessings for Health & Wellness.