This project makes me feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew. With so many different types of relationships people have, it feels like I will never be done. I know I am still in the beginning phase of this project and I am certain that the Lord has given to me this task, but I an feeling overwhelmed and under qualified, I can look at my own relations that I have had and the current ones and I see more damaged and failed relations than good and healthy ones. So who am I to write about relationships? I do not know why God has given me this assignment but I understand that how we relate to others here on earth, that we can see, hear and touch, definitely can have an impact on our relationship with an unseen God. We call Him Father, a title that can give us images of an overbearing tyrant, or a lovable and gentle grandfather. These of course are only two examples of how people can see Him. I want to ask Him, ‘Why me?’ I have no degree in psychology or counseling, although I did take course in psychology, it was only a prerequisite for a course I was taking. I am no a professor, I have taught from preschool up to middle school. None of this makes me an expert on relationships, and I am no expert when it come to God either. So why am I sitting here writing to others about relationships?
I think about Gideon. He even thought there had to be a mistake. He was the least of the least of the least. Yet God chose him and used him. Esther was an orphan who became a queen who God used to save her people. Saul had killed many Christians before he had his Damascus experience and he became Paul, a man who wrote a number of books in what we call the New Testament. I however and not close to any of these people.
I see people who come from terrible backgrounds, who had painful childhoods, and they are some of the most successful in their relationships. Then I have seen people who had the loving caring family that raised and cared for them turn into adults who cannot form one healthy and loving relationship for themselves. I do not understand how this works but the one thing I do know is every relationship requires work. Good or bad relationships depend on us. The choices we make, the things we do. Do we give love and return hate in return? Jesus did. He died not only for those who loved and followed Him, He died for those who hated and despised Him. Now that is dedication and more important that is a love none of truly gets. He wasn’t just kind and caring to those who were good to Him. He loves everyone, unconditionally. We on the other hand Ā are not so loving.
I know of toxic relationships that last what seems a life time, and wonder how? A house filled with bitterness, strife and hatred. They demean and tear each other apart and yet can say they love each other. They don’t break up, and continue to live under the same roof miserable. I wonder how such hate filled people can stay in a relationship, while I see loving compassionate and caring people alone. Hoping one day to find someone who will love them as much as they love. Although I understand the wisdom in waiting. It is better to be alone and single, than get into a relationship with will not only make you miserable but here is one thing I have learned about wrong relationships; Ā they are good at driving a wedge between you and Jesus. You may still pray and call upon His name, but the closeness you had before this wrong relationship is gone. It is like going from spending time daily with your best friend, to that friend who moved away that you only talk to on the phone. The phone calls become less and less until one day you are wondering how they are doing and how long has it been since you last talked. I know this is also part of the reason for me to write this. A reminder to work on not just our earthly relationships, but our Heavenly one as well. Don’t neglect your relationships, they are important.
I want to thank those of you who have been following me on this journey and being patient with the rough draft that this project is. I am still looking for testimonies on relationships. These testimonies can help others, and I will be saving them for the book so they will not be posted on my blog. I can also make your testimony anonymous or change names if that would make you feel more comfortable. I have shared some of my own testimonies on this journey and I hope they have touched the lives of at least one person and given them hope. What ever type of relationship testimony you have I would be grateful to receive, if you leave a comment showing interest in sharing I will give you my contact information. I hope to hear from you soon, and thank you.
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